SENIOR COMMERCIAL OFFICER - Infrastructure Category in Cheshire, Warrington

Defra Group Commercial wish to appoint a Senior Commercial Officer (otherwise known as Senior Buyer) within the Infrastructure Category to support and lead Commercial delivery of medium to high value and risk projects (typically £50k to £50m), procurements and contract/supplier management within a market facing category team across the full commercial life cycle. As a Senior Commercial Officer, you will report to a Commercial Manager (Grade 7). You will work with customers from Defra to ensure value for money for the taxpayer while assisting delivery of Defra’s objectives and corporate targets.

You will award and monitor medium value, medium and high‑risk contracts in accordance with Defra's commercial policies and procedures. You will deliver propriety and value for money. The role will provide strategic support to ensure our commercial models help project teams build and maintain flood defences in the most cost‑effective way. You will provide expert advice to the business on commercial issues, governance and operational support to the team. You will engage with colleagues across the country, building their commercial network both internally and through the wider Defra network and Government Bodies.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively within an Infrastructure project Team
• Build and sustain effective relationships with suppliers and internal customers to deliver exceptional performance in cost, service and quality
• Produce Procurement Strategies and Contract Award Reports
• Work with clients and suppliers to support an efficient getting into contract process
• Manage market engagement exercises
• Run tenders in accordance with Public Contracts Regulations and receive bids using our eSourcing system, Atamis
• Manage evaluation processes
• Demonstrate good communication and influencing skills
• Have an awareness of and demonstrate compliance with government commercial policy
• Identify and manage commercial risks
• Be comfortable presenting work to governance boards
• Have a working knowledge of NEC contracts, primarily ECC, PSC and ECSC
• Demonstrate savings and efficiencies in delivery contributing to the category's annual targets

Additional Information on the Warrington Role and Team:

The Infrastructure North West team provide support to the Environment Agency and Risk Management Authorities in delivering flood risk schemes across the region. The team are based in Richard Fairclough House, Warrington where we benefit from hands on support from a dedicated manager and supportive team. Our team work predominantly with Environment Agency Frameworks to determine efficient routes to market and appropriate NEC4 contracting options for a variety of projects from small scale landscaping to major civil engineering construction projects.

Kendal FRMS: The Kendal scheme is a £100m major project in the Lake District National Park bringing complex engineering solutions to protect communities along the River Kent catchment and its tributaries. Delivering a high value and complex scheme has required complex commercial solutions working collaboratively with a number of supply chain partners to ensure value for money and drive efficiency in outcomes.

Preston FRMS: The Environment Agency is delivering a £54.7m Flood Risk Management Scheme to better protect homes, schools, and businesses along parts of the River Ribble. Construction in Broadgate & Riverside, and in Lower Penwortham is the first phase. Further works will take place in Walton le Dale, Frenchwood & Fishwick, and Higher Walton.

West Kirby FAS: The West Kirby Flood Alleviation Scheme is being led by Wirral Council and aims to protect West Kirby from tidal flooding. The scheme includes a new 1.2m high pre‑cast concrete flood wall with integrated seating built along South Parade. DgC supported Wirral Borough Council to deliver the scheme providing support and advice on commercial and contractual issues in delivering a complex coastal flood defence project.

Rochdale & Littleborough FRMS: The River Roch, Rochdale and Littleborough Flood Risk Management Scheme seeks to address the high level of flood risk to the towns of Rochdale and Littleborough in Greater Manchester. The towns have a long history of flooding with significant events recorded in 1991, 1995, 2008 and 2015. On the 26th and 27th December 2015, 324 properties were flooded during Storm Eva. The flood exceeded the previous highest recorded levels along the River Roch, causing widespread damage and disruption in the area. More recent flooding events in 2019 and 2020 further highlight the urgency of the project.

Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that 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.