At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement and contract management in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic team supporting complex sourcing activities for a leading client.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, potential for contract extension, and valuable experience.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor others and contribute to continuous improvement in a high-performing culture.
- Why this job: Make an impact by delivering innovative commercial solutions and managing supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and contract management with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
Location: Wyton, Andover, Whittington and Glasgow
60% on site | Contract 82 days with extension likely
Salary: Competitive Day Rate | Inside IR35
Overview: First Military Recruitment are currently seeking a Commercial Practitioner on behalf of one of our clients. We are seeking experienced Commercial Procurement and Contract Management Specialists to provide commercial expertise across the full procurement and contract management lifecycle. Working within a fast-paced and collaborative environment, you will lead and support complex sourcing activities, manage supplier relationships, oversee contract delivery, and provide commercial advice to senior stakeholders. You will be responsible for delivering compliant, innovative and value-for-money commercial solutions while managing risk and ensuring effective governance. Successful candidates will manage multiple commercial activities simultaneously and work closely with project teams, customers, suppliers and senior leaders to achieve operational and strategic outcomes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead end-to-end procurement and sourcing activities.
- Develop tender documentation, specifications, evaluation criteria and pricing models.
- Manage supplier engagement throughout procurement exercises.
- Support and participate in commercial negotiations.
- Conduct supplier debriefs and provide procurement guidance to stakeholders.
- Deliver compliant commercial solutions that support business objectives and value for money.
- Manage contracts of varying complexity and value throughout their lifecycle.
- Develop and implement contract management plans and mobilisation activities.
- Monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations and KPIs.
- Manage contract amendments, change control processes and governance requirements.
- Apply contractual remedies where necessary and support dispute resolution activities.
- Ensure effective financial management and value-for-money delivery.
- Contribute to procurement, category and commercial strategies.
- Develop business cases and commercial options.
- Identify, assess and mitigate commercial, contractual and supply chain risks.
- Provide commercial advice on complex projects and programmes.
- Support delivery of efficiency savings and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with customers, suppliers and senior stakeholders.
- Influence business decisions through robust commercial advice.
- Support governance boards, senior leadership briefings and commercial reviews.
- Provide market insight and intelligence to support informed decision-making.
- Share commercial knowledge, lessons learned and best practice.
- Support and mentor less experienced team members.
- Contribute to continuous improvement within commercial teams.
- Promote a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Significant experience delivering public or private sector procurement activities.
- Strong contract management and supplier relationship management skills.
- Experience managing complex or high-value commercial arrangements.
- Knowledge of procurement legislation, commercial governance and contract management best practice.
- Ability to identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Experience supporting or leading negotiations with suppliers and customers.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deliver against deadlines.
- Strong analytical, commercial and financial acumen.
- Active SC Clearance is essential.
Desirable:
- Experience working within Defence, Government, infrastructure, property, facilities management, construction, engineering or major programmes.
- Knowledge of Government Commercial Function standards and practices.
- Experience developing business cases and commercial strategies.
Commercial Practitioner employer: First Military Recruitment Ltd
At First Military Recruitment, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a competitive salary and overtime opportunities for our Class 1 HGV Drivers in South Ockendon. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth, ensuring that our drivers are part of a dedicated team committed to safety and efficiency. With a focus on long-term employment and a secure position within a well-established logistics organisation, we provide our employees with the chance to thrive in their careers while enjoying a balanced work-life schedule.
Contact Details:
First Military Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Practitioner
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show First Military Recruitment Ltd that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, First Military Recruitment Ltd can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows First Military Recruitment Ltd that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let First Military Recruitment Ltd know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Military Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
