At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and negotiate contracts for seven police forces.
- Company: Join 7 Force Commercial Services, supporting police procurement across East England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a competitive salary with market rate supplements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services while developing your commercial skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: MCIPS Level 6 or equivalent experience in public sector procurement required.
- Other info: Open to applicants from all regions; travel across the UK is necessary.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
7Force – Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services – Cambs
7Force – Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services – Cambs
1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Police Staff
Permanent
Full Time
7 Force Commercial Services
Agile, Headquarters, Huntingdon, Cambs
MB2
£53,667
Market Rate Supplement
£4000
37
7 Forces Commercial Services Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services
Location: Dependent on applicant’s location, can be based anywhere across the 7 Forces
Reporting to: 7F Head of Category Management
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced commercial professional to join our Supplier Relationship Management team within the commercial function, supporting the 7 police forces across the east of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk). This collaboration is responsible for third party spend of approximately £250m per annum, making the 7 Force Collaboration the second largest police procurement collective after the Metropolitan Police. commercial influence on this scale has the potential to attract significant financial benefits through market shaping and economies of scale. This also enables 7 Forces to seek to manage suppliers more strategically on a regional basis to secure savings and wider social, economic, and environmental benefits.
You will develop and manage the commercial relationship with a designated portfolio of strategic suppliers to ensure that the 7 Forces get value for money. You will also be expected to lead and/or support complex commercial negotiations with key suppliers, promoting innovation and ensuring best value is achieved, as well as addressing and enforcing sanctions for poor performance, and assisting in defending the relevant Force(s) from contractual claims.
We are looking for someone with good commercial acumen, a track record of supplier relationship management and proven success in negotiations and resolving contractual disputes. The nature of the role means that you will need strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate. You will need to demonstrate that you have the ability to engage a range of key internal stakeholders at varying levels of seniority.
You will hold MCIPS Level 6 or be able to clearly evidence equivalent levels of experience, technical knowledge, and expertise by having worked as a commercially focused procurement professional for a complex, public sector organisation. You should possess significant knowledge and understanding of current contract law and the application of EU Public Procurement Regulations and legislation.
Necessary Experience
Skills and abilities:
- Strong analytical skills to align procurement solutions with customer needs.
- Ability to “see the big picture” and think strategically about developments in the various category markets and the opportunities that those developments will create for the 7 Forces.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise successfully with staff/officers of all levels and external individuals, and to influence stakeholders within the 7 Forces and external organisations.
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Strong negotiating, influencing, interpersonal and communication skills are essential to the role.
- Provide innovative thinking and impetus to drive through change and develop and enhance an integrated commercial and contract management function across the seven forces.
- Good organisational, time management and project management skills in order to ensure delivery of results to agreed deadlines.
- Ability to travel as required throughout the UK.
How To Apply
All applications must be made through our online recruitment portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button
In your application we will be looking for you to demonstrate the essential and desirable criteria set out in the full job description. Please use the box provided on the application form to list your evidence.
Travel: Travel will be required across all seven forces.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications: 28/08/2025
For an informal initial discussion about the role please contact Anamaria.gray@norfolk.police.uk in the first instance.
The postholder for this role will be employed by 7 Forces Commercial Services, but the base location of the postholder could be within any of the seven police forces listed above (i.e. local to you) and is therefore open to candidates across all regions.
Applications from internal ‘at risk’ staff will be prioritised and receive preference in any selection processes.
The Vetting level required for this post is Management MV and Security Clearance. Candidates will be required to undertake the appropriate level security vetting checks, which will include the requirement to have lived in the UK for the past three years (RV) or five years (MV) from the date of your application.
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7Force - Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services - Cambs employer: Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Contact Detail:
Cambridgeshire Constabulary Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 7Force - Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services - Cambs
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges of the 7 police forces. Understanding their operational context will help you tailor your discussions and demonstrate how your skills can directly address their requirements.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and supplier relationship management sectors, especially those with experience in public sector organisations. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for potential interview scenarios by practising your negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Given the role's emphasis on managing supplier relationships and resolving disputes, showcasing these abilities will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current contract law and EU Public Procurement Regulations. Being knowledgeable about these areas will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the role and its responsibilities.
We think you need these skills to ace 7Force - Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services - Cambs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and required skills. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Supplier Relationship Manager.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience: In your application, provide specific examples of your past experiences in supplier relationship management, negotiations, and contract law. Use metrics where possible to showcase your achievements.
Highlight Interpersonal Skills: Since strong interpersonal skills are crucial for this role, ensure you mention instances where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or resolved disputes. This will demonstrate your ability to engage effectively with various levels of staff.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to apply through the specified online recruitment portal and use the provided box to list your evidence against the essential and desirable criteria. Attention to detail here can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridgeshire Constabulary
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of the Supplier Relationship Manager role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, especially around managing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since the role involves complex commercial negotiations, prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or resolved disputes. Highlight your strategies and the outcomes to demonstrate your effectiveness in this area.
✨Demonstrate Strong Interpersonal Skills
The ability to influence and engage stakeholders is crucial for this position. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with various levels of staff and external partners. Use specific examples to illustrate your interpersonal skills and how they contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them. This will show your ability to 'see the big picture' and think critically about procurement solutions.