Procurement Business Partner in Cheshire, Warrington

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) delivers services that support millions of people across the UK. Behind these services sits one of the largest Commercial functions in Government, helping ensure public money is spent responsibly and delivers the best possible outcomes for citizens and taxpayers. Digital Category alone manages contract spend of around £3.2 billion across some of the UK's largest suppliers.

We are recruiting Associate Commercial Leads across two areas of the Commercial Directorate: Digital Category and Automated Buying, Business Services & External Resources (ABBSER). Digital Category supports the procurement and delivery of technology, infrastructure, software, digital services and specialist resources that underpin some of DWP's most important services. From cloud transformation and cyber security to digital platforms, networks and technology solutions, the team helps ensure DWP has the tools and capability required to deliver services to citizens across the UK. ABBSER supports a diverse portfolio of commercial activity across business services, consultancy, professional services and external resourcing. This includes sourcing specialist Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) expertise, agency workers, contractors and consultancy support that help DWP deliver strategic priorities, transformation programmes and operational services.

In the public sector, being commercial means understanding business needs, engaging with suppliers and markets, managing procurement and contracts, and making informed decisions that balance cost, quality and risk to deliver value for money and positive outcomes. As an Associate Commercial Lead, you will manage a portfolio of commercial activity, working closely with stakeholders to understand requirements, develop solutions and deliver successful outcomes. You'll have the opportunity to influence decisions, build strong relationships and play a key role in supporting services that make a real difference to people's lives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a portfolio of commercial projects, procurements and contracts.
• Working with stakeholders to understand requirements and develop effective commercial solutions.
• Leading procurement and sourcing activity, including market engagement and competitive tender exercises.
• Developing recommendations that balance cost, quality, risk and value for money.
• Coordinating and chairing stakeholder meetings to support decision-making and achieve consensus.
• Evaluating supplier proposals and supporting fair, transparent and evidence-based procurement decisions.
• Identifying opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, deliver efficiencies and generate savings.
• Building effective relationships with stakeholders across commercial, finance, digital and operational teams.
• Supporting contract and supplier management activities where required.
• Maintaining appropriate governance, assurance and audit standards.
• Contributing to business improvement and wider organisational objectives.

You will be expected to exercise sound judgement, demonstrate initiative and work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. Success in this role comes from taking ownership, building trusted relationships and delivering commercial outcomes in a fast-paced and changing environment.

This role offers the opportunity to develop your commercial expertise within one of the largest Commercial functions in Government. You'll gain experience across a range of commercial activities, develop valuable stakeholder management and decision-making skills, and be supported through ongoing professional development, including opportunities to work towards recognised qualifications such as CIPS and MCIPS.

Essential Criteria

• Commercial Knowledge and Judgement: You can demonstrate an understanding of how commercial decisions support business objectives and deliver value for money. This may have been gained through procurement, contract management, supplier management, financial oversight or a related environment. You can assess information, balance cost, quality and risk, and use sound judgement to support effective decision-making and positive outcomes.
• Commercial Delivery Experience: You have experience delivering commercial activity and achieving successful outcomes. This may include procurement, sourcing, contract management, supplier engagement or similar activity. You can understand business requirements, develop practical solutions and see activities through to delivery.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Influencing: You can build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders and work collaboratively to achieve shared objectives. You are confident communicating with others, facilitating discussion, providing constructive challenge where appropriate and bringing people together to reach decisions and maintain progress.
• Ownership and Leadership: You take responsibility for delivering high-quality outcomes and managing your own workload. You can prioritise effectively, make informed decisions and remain focused when faced with competing demands, ambiguity or change. You demonstrate leadership through initiative, accountability and a commitment to delivering results.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks.

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