Commercial Specialist – Professional Services in Bristol

Location: Birmingham, West Midlands (England), B1 2AX; Bristol, South West England, BS1 6EH; Longstanton, East of England, CB24 3EN; Liverpool, North West England, L3 1BP; Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, LS11 9AT; Manchester, North West England, M1 6EU; Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, NE4 5BZ.

About the job

Job summary: To support the Senior Specialist for Professional Services (Category Manager) in the execution and maintenance of the Agency’s change management related commercial strategy and the implementation and operation of an innovative cost effective centrally led commercial function across the Agency. This includes procurement work for activity relating to the Agency’s change roadmap, particularly those on professional services including contingent labour that fall under public procurement legislation. The primary focus of the role is to manage the procurement activity, either by providing advice and guidance, supporting or delivering the procurement (including the procurement and management of Homes England frameworks and procurement solutions), supporting the implementation of contract management best practices and contributing to increasing commercial capability in the business.

The Commercial Specialist will be responsible for:

• Managing the compliant procurement of services required by the change programme by managing the processes and appropriate procedures and providing on the ground guidance to teams.
• Supporting Homes England colleagues and local authorities with guidance on commercial best practice and holding training sessions on public procurement and contract management.
• Contributing to the provision of advice on Spend Controls, delegations and approval processes in respect of procurements.
• Reviewing and noting/approving procurement requests at the right level of authority.
• All procurement activity, either by providing advice and guidance, supporting or delivering the procurement, including the procurement and management of Homes England frameworks and procurement solutions.
• Supporting joint procurements with other authorities.
• Ensuring timely publication of contract notices on FTS and Contracts Finder (if still applicable).
• Ensuring the contract register is up to date with newly signed contracts, with contract extensions and variations and with information on the supplier’s performance.
• Updating the cost savings tracker with newly identified saving opportunities and with delivered cashable and non cashable savings.
• Assessing criticality of contracts using the tiering model and advising contract managers on the appropriate tools and templates to use to effectively manage their contracts.

Homes England Employees are expected to be flexible in undertaking duties and responsibilities commensurate with the general character of the role and level of responsibility.

Person specification

Key qualifications, knowledge and experience:

• Procurement professional with experience in public procurement.
• Experience of supporting complex multi-stage procurement processes, such as establishing a framework or outsourcing service delivery.
• A relevant professional qualification (MCIPS or equivalent or willing/currently working towards).
• An additional relevant professional qualification (ACCA, MIIA, CCAB, RICS, existing ADC) is desirable, as is a qualification or specific training or professional experience in disciplines relevant to property, regeneration or housing.
• Category experience in professional services (desirable).
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office IT products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.