Purchasing Finance Manager in London

Role: Finance and Procurement Manager

Employer: Single Source Regulations Office

Sector: Non-Departmental Public Body

Location: London / Hybrid / Remote

Salary: Up to £59,000 (pro rata) and Civil Service Pension + up to Zones 1-6 London oyster card + 30 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Part-time (0.8 FTE). The SSRO welcomes flexible working arrangements.

The Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) is an executive non-departmental public body that supports the regulatory framework for single source defence contracts established by Part 2 of the Defence Reform Act 2014. It plays a key role in the regulation of the UK government’s ‘single source,’ or non-competitive, procurement of military goods, works and services. The framework places controls on the prices of qualifying defence contracts and requires greater transparency from defence contractors.

In conducting its functions, the SSRO aims to ensure that government obtains good value for money in its expenditure on qualifying defence contracts, and that contractors are paid fair and reasonable prices. You will also be required to provide advice on the SSRO’s financial policies and ensuring compliance across the organisation.

Working with the Head of Corporate Services, this role will also provide end-to-end procurement support for the organisation’s purchasing of goods and services. Whilst a procurement qualification is not needed for this role, some procurement experience (ideally gained in the public sector) is required.

• Developing relationships with budget holders and/or managers within SSRO and understanding their priorities and spending plans.
• Communicating and interpreting financial data to non-financial managers to facilitate monitoring of annual spend outturn on projects and long-term contracts.
• Liaising with budget holders and/or managers to collate information and identify key financial risks, pressures and opportunities.
• Providing input into the development of and then ensuring compliance with finance and procurement policies and procedures.
• Lead on the production of the Remuneration Report for inclusion in the Annual Report and Accounts.
• Assist with the management of the outsourced finance and payroll contract and supplier.
• Provide cover, as needed for the Finance Manager.

• Provide end-to-end procurement support activity, while identifying and managing procurement risks, including supporting service managers in identifying appropriate routes to market, production of procurement project plans, securing internal approvals and managing any market pre-engagement.
• Preparing and issuing procurement documentation and co-ordinating communications with bidders.
• Supporting evaluation panels, assisting the Legal Team with any contract negotiations and making the contract award; fulfilling relevant transparency requirements, including the publishing of notices and compliance with relevant government procurement policy.
• Contribute to the review and development of the SSRO’s Procurement Strategy, policy and processes.
• Undertake periodic reviews and updating of the SSRO’s procurement policy and procedures.
• Manage the SSRO’s Contract Register and contract management processes.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors on matters relating to procurement.
• Make best use of available technology and contribute to the delivery of new and innovative ways to deliver our work that improve quality and efficiency.
• Support working relationships with the MOD sponsor team, the internal audit function, NAO and HM Treasury.

• AAT qualified or Part qualified accountant e.g., CAB, ACA, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA or equivalent.
• Experience of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and supporting senior management with decision making.
• Experience of supporting end-to-end procurement activity.
• Strong financial analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, generate insights and construct solutions.
• Good communication skills with the ability to explain financial data to non-financial managers.
• Intermediate excel skills.
• An ability to switch between tasks, to quickly get up-to-speed on new subjects and to deliver to sometimes challenging timetables, consistently delivering high quality and robust advice and support.
• Strong communication skills, with ability to explain and defend a position to a variety of audiences and to express procurement issues in easy-to-understand plain English.
• Relevant professional qualification(s), or part qualification in procurement and supply.
• Experience of contract relationship management, and an understanding of how that can deliver and improve value for money.

The role will require you to undergo and successfully secure national security vetting and obtain Security Check (SC) clearance.

The SSRO embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.