Senior Procurement Officer - Tech in London

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Senior Procurement Officer - Tech (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based in Bristol, Birmingham, London or Peterborough (with around 50% office attendance).

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future.
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production.
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

The Technology Category Team are ensuring Defra transform the way in which it delivers its IT services, making it simpler, faster, and more sustainable. Working in Technology the team offers an opportunity to make a real difference in a category that is challenging, varied, fast paced and high profile.

The Technology category sources all Defra’s IT requirements from User Devices and Digital applications to Connectivity, Data, Geospatial, AI, Software and Cybersecurity. The team is market facing and agile which enables us to respond to emerging technologies and engage flexibly with customers, aligning and consolidating the IT goods and services that we buy for the Defra Group.

As a Senior Procurement Officer, you will:

• Support key customers by preparing comprehensive commercial documentation and leading end to end procurements, compliant with procurement regulations, expertly managing the full commercial lifecycle.
• Design and deliver technology procurements that drive and leverage innovation, automation and use of AI to enable faster delivery, operational efficiency and provide tangible savings, value for money and quality outcomes.
• Draft and present recommendations for approval through governance boards.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to prepare contract management documents.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, ensuring exceptional performance across cost, service, and quality benchmarks.
• Provide insightful day-to-day advice on commercial risks, opportunities, and challenges — maximizing value for money and savings.
• Oversee the successful delivery of IT contracts while identifying and managing sustainable impacts throughout the commercial lifecycle.
• Partner with customers to deliver innovative and value-driven solutions aligned with organisational objectives and corporate targets.
• Manage the category pipeline following Defra’s commercial policies and procedures, ensuring propriety and value for money at every stage.
• Share knowledge, providing support to colleagues, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to perform effectively.
• Utilise IT systems and applications proficiently to streamline and enhance daily operations.
• Lead or participate in meetings to drive effective decision-making, including agenda setting, discussion facilitation, and accurate documentation of actions.
• Foster positive, productive relationships with colleagues, customers, and suppliers — confidently influencing and challenging when needed to achieve the best commercial outcomes.

Essential:

• Experience of working in a commercial role within a technology environment is essential. Areas of focus will include digital delivery and potentially, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Geospatial.
• Leading and supporting the successful delivery of a variety of procurements, with experience in managing contracts or suppliers being highly desirable.
• Demonstrating a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance with policies and processes, and championing these standards in all aspects of your work.
• Driving operational improvements by implementing initiatives that enhance efficiency, promote business transformation, and refine ways of working.
• Applying your commercial acumen to generate tangible benefits, efficiencies, and cost savings.
• Proactively identifying risks and issues and formulating and executing robust mitigation plans.
• Delivering well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations, backed by thorough analysis of data - including financial information.

Clearance (location specific):

• London: Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance.
• Birmingham, Bristol, Peterborough: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident:

As a Disability Confident employer, Defra encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates. Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.