Commercial Lead (Procurement)

Job Title: Commercial Lead(DDAT)

Contract Length: Until 31/01/2025

Location: King Charles Street LONDON - 60% Hybrid

IR35: Inside IR35

DDaT Commercial - Contractor Specification

Role Title: Commercial Lead (Procurement)

Job Description

Client is looking to appoint an experienced Commercial Lead reporting to the Head of Commercial, who will lead complex procurements and a small team of commercial specialists. The role will deliver transformational change aligned to the Information & Digital Directorate (IDD) strategy, delivering strategic and innovative projects in compliance with procurement regulations.

The role requires an inspiring individual who has in-depth understanding and experience of delivering complex procurements (end to end) in compliance with regulations in a global setting whilst navigating complex industries and market trends, as well as, driving supply chain excellence across the procurement whole life cycle (category strategies, Delivery Model Assessments, sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management).

Additionally the role will develop and maintain a pipeline of activity for the area of responsibility, supporting the development and delivery of complex and novel commercial projects. Review and challenge sourcing strategies, where appropriate, to improve outcomes.

Significant engagement with Client's stakeholders will be required that include IDD, Consular, Client's Services, Regional Platform, Procurement Hubs, Policy, Directors, Specialist Representative Organisation, and Supply Chains) to ensure that commercials service offering is translated into outcomes that is aligned to wider government and Client's targets.

Responsibilities:

• Lead development of sub-category strategies through the category management cycle from understanding the Client s starting point in terms of spend, suppliers and IDD strategy through to developing options appraisals and mobilising sourcing projects in collaboration with Key stakeholders across Client.
• Influence senior stakeholders, effecting governance both internal and external including HMT, Cabinet Office and Ministers.
• Implement and deliver the opportunities outlined in the DDaT Category Forward Plans, including engaging and managing stakeholders, resources, internal and external dependencies; and transition plans and timelines.
• Lead the development of category expertise and knowledge to deliver category plans and strategies in collaboration with global posts/leaders and drive local, regional and global supply chain trends and strategies that deliver high quality commercial procurement outcomes, whilst ensuring value for money.
• Deliver complex procurements, ensuring high quality commercial arrangements, with robust specifications, Terms and Conditions, management principles, and measures developed in accordance with the selected route to market, taking cognisance of procurement legislation, Government policy, Government guidance such as the sourcing and construction playbooks and departmental policies and guidance.
• Deliver annually agreed savings target for the DDaT category portfolio through performance management of teams, suppliers and working collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Strong Contract management knowledge and experience.
• Provide leadership and direction to a small team of commercial specialist developing a professional culture, commercial capability and skills that empower our people through coaching, mentoring, sharing expertise/knowledge and bespoke training plans aligned to Cabinet Office playbooks and promoting succession pathways.
• Develop and manage supplier performance and relationships; advising and supporting Senior Management on key commercial issues.
• Deliver stakeholder engagement plans that embeds effective business partnering driving long term strategic relationship management that ensures the optimum support, advice and delivery, drives outcomes that ensures FCDO can be efficient and agile to deliver against its mission.
• Implement commercial governance for the IDD in compliance with spend controls and present to the appropriate governance boards, and external forums as required.
• Contribute to the development and commercial cases of Concept Notes, Business Cases & Sourcing Strategies (SOBC, OBC & FBC)
• Lead Delivery Model Assessments (DMA) for the DDaT category incorporating FCDO capability & maturity vs, external capability at both an overall programmatic and component level.
• Work with wider Cllient's stakeholders, such as IDD, Finance, H&S, Client Services and other Head of Category to ensure consistency and optimising strategy development and delivery.
• Travel within UK and Internationally may be required to meet and work with stakeholders and their teams
• Continually assess global and regional supply markets to identify optimal solutions.

Candidates who secure a role that is considered specialist/technical, may be required to affiliate to the relevant specialist network, if not already a member.

Responsible for Procurement competition management, adhering to stakeholders policies. Promote best practice at all times, assisting in management of project staff, third party legal and insurance advisors. Be involved in Stakeholder management and Tender Negotiation phase planning and delivery. Management of contract documentation delivery and assistance with bid evaluation and governance input. Provide input to relevant PMO and Procurement reporting.

We are looking for someone with:

• The resilience to manage multiple projects concurrently, with the ability to research, benchmark, scope, design, implement and evaluate project delivery to tight deadlines;
• A proactive approach and a focus on continuous improvement of self and service, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency.
• Experience of developing and implementing category strategies and strategic sourcing in a complex regulated setting.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience procuring complex services in compliance with the Procurement Contracts Regulations with a thorough working knowledge of applicable EU and UK procurement legislation
• Relevant experience working in the technology sector and an understanding of the full commercial life cycle.
• Experience operating in a Matrix environment with the ability and skills to build successful relationships, enabling engagement with multiple stakeholders and the ability to constructively challenge decision making based on objective argument founded in fact and analysis.
• Excellent communication skills you will be a team player who leads by example.

The following is also desirable:

• Public sector experience.
• An MCIPS qualification, but consideration will be given to candidates who demonstrate this level of required knowledge through work experience, or have a similar professional membership.
• Flexibility, willingness and ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• International sourcing expertise.

The role will be working with DDaT, (Digital, Data and Technology).

The successful candidate will be managing several Digital contracts within the sector.