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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead P2P operations, manage a team, and ensure financial governance across a ÂŁ500m portfolio.
- Company: Defra, the UK government department focused on environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public spending while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in P2P operations and strong team management skills required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for growth and a focus on continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
About Defra
Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world‑leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. The Digital, Data and Technology Services (DDTS) department manages one of the government’s largest and most complex digital supplier portfolios.
Position Overview
You are an experienced P2P (Purchase‑to‑Pay) Operations Manager (SEO) who will lead daily P2P team delivery of billing governance, financial assurance and cost‑model management across more than 30 contracts with a portfolio exceeding £500m annual spend. You will line‑manage a team of P2P specialists, act as the escalation point for billing issues, and work closely with Supplier Managers, Programme Leads and strategic suppliers.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver the operational outcomes that underpin DDTS’s supplier spend governance.
- Lead day‑to‑day P2P operations, ensuring spend is controlled, auditable and aligned to contractual and financial requirements.
- Line‑manage P2P Process Leads, providing direction, coaching and support to ensure high‑quality delivery across the team.
- Handle complex operational tasks, escalations and cost‑models within the portfolio.
- Act as a senior operational escalation point, resolving issues and ensuring processes run smoothly end‑to‑end.
- Collaborate with the G7, providing operational intelligence and support to shape priorities and decision‑making.
- Refine day‑to‑day ways of working, improve data quality and deliver reliable results through your own hands‑on work on complex tasks.
Governance & Operational Control
- Lead key P2P activities including requisitioning, PO management, receipting, forecasting and reconciliation.
- Maintain high‑quality, auditable data across all P2P tools and processes, ensuring spend is transparent, controlled and compliant.
- Personally deliver the more complex or sensitive operational tasks, ensuring accuracy and strong audit trails.
Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build trusted relationships with suppliers, Supplier Management, Delivery Groups and cross‑departmental teams.
- Guide stakeholders through P2P processes, ensuring spend remains compliant and well controlled.
- Act as a senior operational escalation point for issues raised by the team or delivery groups, ensuring timely, well‑evidenced and compliant resolutions.
Financial & Contractual Oversight
- Ensure accurate, reliable inputs and outputs across P2P tools, supporting financial controls, governance and audit requirements.
- Oversee reconciliation and reporting activity, ensuring billing and contractual data is robust, complete and ready for scrutiny.
- Support value for money by ensuring spend aligns with contractual terms, approved budgets and operational requirements.
Leadership & Team Development
- Line‑manage the P2P Process Leads, providing day‑to‑day leadership, coaching and support.
- Drive consistent, high‑quality delivery across the team, ensuring processes are followed and audit trails are complete.
- Support capability development within the team, promoting continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Ensure the team’s work aligns with the strategic direction and priorities set by the G7.
Disability Confident
Defra is a Disability Confident Employer. We will offer an interview to any applicant who declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. In certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.
P2P Operations Manager in Bristol employer: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Contact Detail:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land P2P Operations Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that P2P Operations Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Defra and understanding their P2P processes. We want you to show off your knowledge about their operations and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience with billing governance and financial assurance.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We’re here to help you articulate your leadership skills and operational expertise clearly and effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re excited to see how you can bring your P2P management skills to the table and help drive operational excellence at Defra.
We think you need these skills to ace P2P Operations Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the P2P Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing P2P processes and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your leadership style and how you can contribute to our team at Defra.
Showcase Your Team Management Skills: Since this role involves line-managing a team, be sure to highlight your experience in coaching and supporting team members. We love seeing examples of how you've driven high-quality delivery and fostered continuous improvement in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
✨Know Your P2P Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Purchase-to-Pay process thoroughly. Brush up on key concepts like requisitioning, PO management, and reconciliation. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a P2P Operations Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on coaching and supporting your team members. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive high-quality delivery.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions about handling complex operational tasks and escalations. Think of real-life examples where you've resolved issues effectively. This will help you illustrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to maintain smooth operations under pressure.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Defra values collaboration, so be ready to discuss how you've built trusted relationships with suppliers and stakeholders in previous roles. Share specific instances where your engagement led to improved outcomes, showcasing your interpersonal skills and understanding of governance.