At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement processes to ensure value for money and compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, a top-rated service dedicated to community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy a salary of £40,000, hybrid working, and excellent health and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment while promoting sustainability and social value.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, contract management, and knowledge of relevant regulations required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 € per year.
CFRS is one of the best fire and rescue services in the UK. Our recent His Majesty's Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) highlighted our positive culture, our dedication to developing our people and the things we do to promote inclusion across the service. The Service is dedicated to delivering an outstanding service to the communities we are proud to serve. We are currently looking for a Commercial and Procurement Lead to join our welcoming, forward-thinking fire and rescue service.
Salary: £40,000 per annum plus excellent benefits and hybrid working
Contract: Maternity Cover
About the role
Working within our Commercial Team, this service critical role will see you provide effective and efficient procurement of goods and services on behalf of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority (CPFA) to ensure organisational objectives are delivered as well as supporting regional, national and inter-agency collaborations. You’ll support an efficient and flexible procurement service in achieving value for money, cost savings whilst delivering in accordance with the Procurement Act and Regulations, Authority Policies and Contract Standing Orders and Best Practice.
You will do this by working with key stakeholders to identify potential savings opportunities to deliver value for money by the consolidation of disaggregate spend within the category lead’s category. You’ll support and promote appropriate procurement/commercial strategies addressing the needs of the Authority to deliver compliant procurement activities, ranging from Low Value to in-scope procurement thresholds as well as utilising National Frameworks for new and existing requirements.
You will be responsible for managing all aspects of the procurement lifecycle to ensure best practice, responsible and ethical delivery and management of contracts, whilst ensuring all documentation is current and valid for transparency and auditing purposes. You will engage with a range of departments and key stakeholders, supporting improvements to procurement activity, enhancing engagement with the procurement function whilst ensuring compliance with regulations and commercial best practice.
As a category lead, you’ll ensure consistent advice and guidance is provided and ensure a smooth and effective procurement process. You will provide an understanding of the relevant market conditions, procurement options available as well as advise on potential supply chain risk and vulnerability as well as potential for commercial and reputational risk and report accordingly.
As well as achieving cost effectiveness for the Authority you will be taking account of whole life costs and Corporate Social Responsibility/ Sustainability, social value and identifying potential risks with Modern Slavery, whilst always demonstrating effective use of public funds. You will undertake analysis of relevant financial data, review the contract register to identify, forecast, improve and implement changes to contracts and future purchases which enable savings opportunities and potential cost reduction.
Work with other Public Sector bodies and partner organisations to identify collaboration opportunities within the categories that offer benefits to both the Authority and wider blue light organisations. You will deliver awareness sessions and guidance to all colleagues in line with the Procurement Act and internal procurement Contract Standing Orders and Guidance, to increase the commercial awareness across the Authority.
About you
Everyone is welcome at CFRS and we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and professional support team. The experience required in this role includes:
- Membership or be working towards completion of MICIPS accreditation and must currently be at level 4 as a minimum.
- Good commercial awareness within a public sector environment with experience of running and managing procurement processes and the resulting contract management.
- Experience of an e-tendering portal to provide an auditable tendering mechanism.
- You’ll have a good knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023, principles of GPA and WTO Parameters and knowledge of the previous Regulations PCR2015.
- An understanding of value for money principles, Innovation, Social Value, Sustainable Procurement and Ethical Trading including Modern Slavery.
- Proficient in Microsoft based packages, including Sharepoint, word and excel to manipulate and interpret numerical data, along with familiarity of Teams.
- Your clear and concise ability to communicate with others will allow you to thrive in the role.
Working life at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
You don't have to wear a firefighter's uniform and run into burning buildings to play an important role in the Service. A role in our support functions offers the chance to build a challenging, rewarding career and the opportunity to give something back to the community. We’re a modern and progressive place to work and promote the right values and welcoming culture by:
- Ensure transparency and fairness in everything we do.
- We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
- We provide health and wellbeing support for everyone in the service.
- We have inclusion ambassadors and established working groups for protected characteristics and menopause.
Commercial Category Lead in Huntingdon employer: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
CFRS is an exceptional employer, renowned for its positive culture and commitment to employee development, making it a fantastic place for the Commercial Category Lead role. With a focus on inclusion and community service, employees benefit from excellent perks, hybrid working options, and a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration across various public sector bodies. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a rewarding career in a modern and progressive fire and rescue service.
Contact Detail:
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Category Lead in Huntingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fire and rescue sector, especially those who work at CFRS. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Brush up on procurement processes, the Procurement Act, and current market trends. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but the right fit for our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your soft skills! Communication is key in this role, so be ready to demonstrate how you can engage with stakeholders and promote collaboration effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our amazing team at CFRS.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Category Lead in Huntingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Category Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement and contract management, and show how your skills align with our values at CFRS.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve delivered value for money or improved procurement processes in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to communicate your ideas, as this reflects the clarity we value in our team at CFRS.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Procurement Act 2023 and the principles of GPA and WTO Parameters. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the regulations but also understand how they apply in a practical context.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness
Prepare examples of how you've identified savings opportunities or improved procurement processes in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver value for money and your understanding of the public sector environment.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've worked with different departments or stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific instances where your communication skills helped improve procurement activities or foster collaboration.
✨Highlight Your Ethical Approach
Discuss your understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility and how you've addressed issues like Modern Slavery in your procurement practices. This will show that you take ethical considerations seriously and are committed to responsible procurement.
