Assistant Commercial Manager

Transport for London (TfL) is one of the best-known and most successful Integrated Transport Authorities in the world. We’re at the forefront of technological innovation and the envy of transport authorities around the globe. It’s an exciting time at TfL with a diverse range of projects and programmes delivering improvements and enhancements to our assets or maintaining the network to keep London moving. To support this, we have a number of procurement and contract management opportunities to deliver value for money and the right outcomes for TfL and ultimately for those who live, work, and visit London.

Join our inclusive organisation and take the next step in your procurement and commercial career.

About the Team

From mission critical systems that govern the movement of trains; digital information and payment systems across London; asset refurbishment or enhancement or customer movement; to buying engineering, architectural, professional services, marketing and branding services including generating significant revenue for TfL, P&C plays a key role in delivering all aspects of Transport for London’s obligations. It is our responsibility to plan, strategise and procure and manage every essential component that TfL needs to deliver the millions of journeys that take place on our network each day.

With responsibility for the significant £6bn+ spend that is needed to keep London moving, the commercial activity P&C drive ensures we get the best return on investment and deliver outstanding long-term value.

The Business Areas

• Indirects: Roles in the Indirects team can work with and learn over a dozen different category areas, which include Professional Services, Contingent Labour, L&D, Advertising, Marketing, Branding, Electric Vehicles and many more. As the main provider of Outsourced Procurement Service to the whole of the GLA family, this team has a unique scope to be involved in a number of social, environmental, and carbon net-zero initiatives.
• Fleet: The Fleet maintenance team support the day-to-day operations of our London Underground fleet (rolling stock) and depots. The roles are critical to ensure our suppliers deliver the best possible value to TfL and support TfL’s role of Keeping London Moving.
• Infrastructure: These roles support the Infrastructure part of Operations. A fast-paced and dynamic area responsible for a diverse portfolio of categories, from Lifts and Escalators, Signals, Power and Cooling, Asset Resilience, and minor civils.
• London Trams: The roles will work alongside the maintenance managers for Power, Civils, Track, Communication Systems and Fleet on a range of supply, services and works contracts as well as programmes of works on the tram vehicles, depot and infrastructure.
• Rail and Sponsored Services: This is a wonderful opportunity to join the Outsourced Operations team that owns the end-to-end sourcing and contract management processes for a broad portfolio, including London Cable Car, Woolwich Ferry, London River Services, Bus Stops and Shelters and Micro-mobility.

The Roles

To succeed in these roles, the job holder will need to collaborate effectively with procurement and delivery colleagues to identify best value opportunities. The roles may be in any of the above business areas, so please ensure you highlight any preferences within your covering letter. The Assistant Commercial Manager positions may be required to undertake cradle to grave in some programmes or post contract activities in others, so again, please specify if there is at all a preference.

Key Accountabilities

• Collate Stakeholder requirements and specifications, source data and intelligence about suppliers, market sectors and contractual commitments for the development of the Procurement pipeline.
• Develop procurement strategies and specific procurement plans in support of defined assets or delivery areas.
• Entering/reviewing/updating the Contract Register/Pipeline.
• Utilising the Power BI suite of reporting for error and validity of entries made in the pipeline against forecasting and actual spend.
• Performance/audit and accrual reporting each period.
• Analysis of variations working with the internal client for requirements and challenging the Contractor for optimum value for money/savings against the programme and scope.
• Assessment of Application for Payments.
• Collate contract data to enable updates to the forecast of external expenditure.
• Assess actual expenditure, variances, value of work done, accruals, commitments, variations, etc., to enable accurate periodic financial reporting and recommend payment.
• Assess contractors’ periodic payment applications and propose appropriate adjustments are made to reflect VOWD, contract pricing and contractual terms for delivery and performance, and recommend actions.
• Prepare documents and reports in support of contract administration and maintain records of all contract transactions, including instructions, variations, payments, and general correspondence.
• Analysis of final account submission at each financial year end.
• Utilise e-procurement tools, templates, and standard forms of contract to maximise the efficiency and control of the procurement process and to support the fair evaluation of responses from the bidding suppliers.
• Planning, delivering, and managing all procurement activities to deliver contracts and frameworks for works, goods and services contracts.
• Supporting the delivery of organisational and personal development programmes.
• Plan and engage with users to understand contract specifications and with suppliers to develop a profile of delivery capability.
• Build into contract & framework developments, TfL's sustainable procurement obligations and preferences, including assurance of procurement authority level adherence.

Skills:

• Procurement Management – Ability to plan, deliver and manage all procurement activities to deliver contracts and frameworks - (Desirable)
• Contract Management - Has a good understanding of a range of different forms of contract and the components required to form a contract package, and the interrelationship between these elements - (Desirable)
• Listening skills, tact and diplomacy, and the ability to manage stakeholders - (Essential)
• Stakeholder and supplier relationship skills - (Desirable)
• Good level of numeracy and data analysis skills - (Essential)
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people within and outside the organisation. Influence people across the organisation and outside - (Essential)

Knowledge:

• Able to produce estimates for schemes and able to deliver construction cost analyses - (Essential)
• Knowledge of JCT, ICE and NEC forms and ability to manage contract administration - (Desirable)
• Ability to plan and deliver cost management - (Essential)
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of current domestic and EU legislative requirements and proven experience in applying these to day-to-day procurement activities and documentation – (Desirable)
• Computer literate and experienced in the use of standard spreadsheet and WP software packages. – (Essential)

Experience:

• Experience of how the various commercial activities interrelate and are applied to major work streams, projects and programmes. (Essential)
• Previous experience of working within the EU Regulations for public sector and utilities procurement (desirable)
• Hold or be working towards membership of The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS/MRICS) or The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or equivalent professional qualifications - (Desirable)

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantees an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs and cover letters to make the process fair.

Application Process

Please apply using your CV; a cover letter is optional. Word format or PDF is preferred, and please do not include any photographs or images to avoid technical issues with your application. Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV.

Assessment Process and Key Dates

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 3rd July 2025. Interviews will take place from the Week Commencing 7th July 2025.

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the business area but mostly include:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel for you on the TfL network
• A 75% discount on National Rail Season Ticket and interest-free loan
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Private healthcare discounted scheme (optional)
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel