Commercial Manager in Barnsley

This role sits at the heart of ARP's commercial function, combining end-to-end procurement leadership with active contract management across major services delivered to NHS Ambulance Trusts in England, Scotland, and Wales. The postholder will manage the full procurement lifecycle in compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2023, designing and running competitive and framework procurements that deliver value for money, transparency, and regulatory adherence.

The role is responsible for managing contracts ensuring ARP meets its contractual obligations throughout contract implementation and delivery. Acting as a trusted commercial partner, the postholder will maintain contract records, drive performance, resolve commercial issues, and lead change where required. Success in this role demands strong commercial judgement, a proactive and curious mindset, and the ability to engage and influence a broad range of stakeholders -- including ARP teams, the Home Office, Crown Commercial Service, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS Ambulance Trusts.

We encourage applications from anyone with a passion for positive commercial outcomes that enhance patient care. Although the role is scoped as a full-time role, we encourage applications for individuals that may require flexible working arrangements. The post is anticipated to be home based but depending on the location and preference of the successful candidate, it will be possible to work out of one of ARP's offices (there are currently offices in Barnsley, Bristol and Central London). It is expected that for home-based candidates there will be a need for occasional travel to one of the offices or to meet external colleagues and/or other members of the ARP team.

You will lead end-to-end procurement activities for major ARP Services delivered to NHS Ambulance Trusts across England, Scotland, and Wales, managing the full procurement lifecycle in line with the Public Procurement Act 2023. This includes designing and running both open/competitive flexible procedures and framework procurements, ensuring value for money, transparency, and regulatory adherence at every stage. This may also include procurements for goods and services required by the ARP team and Ambulance Trusts.

The Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP) is an enduring organisation directly appointed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to provide and upgrade emergency communications for UK ambulance services. ARP has a team of over eighty staff consisting of commercial, finance, project, implementation, technical, user assurance and service colleagues. They are based all over the country to support the successful delivery and maintenance of a £460m programme of work. The aim of ARP is to implement new technology that provides innovation and enhances patient care with the latest equipment.

ARP's solutions also play a longer-term role in preparing the ambulance service for the adoption of the Home Office's Emergency Services Network (ESN). ARP is currently in the process of introducing an array of new technology-based services to Ambulance Trusts and Air Ambulance charities. The Services include the introduction of new technology to the national Ambulance fleet (approx. 6500 vehicles) and upgrading and developing new, data-rich communications products (apps and hardware) for use by over 15,000 frontline paramedic and Control Room staff. Overall, ARP is responsible for providing an end-to-end service covering installation, maintenance, and replacement, which plays a key role in enabling effective response to critical life-threatening incidents.

The post is anticipated to be home based but depending on the location and preference of the successful candidate, it will be possible to work out of one of ARP's offices (there are currently offices in Barnsley, Bristol and Central London). It is expected that for home-based candidates there will be a need for occasional travel to one of the offices or to meet external colleagues and/or other members of the ARP team. Although the team is delivering complex programmes on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the team is hosted by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which means the successful candidate will enjoy all the benefits that working for an NHS Foundation Trust has to offer. These include a generous annual leave allowance (starting at 27 days), career average NHS pension scheme, access to a network of NHS / Emergency Services discounts offered by third party partners and NHS tax free initiatives like a salary sacrifice lease car scheme, plus cycle to work and technology scheme.

All roles are subject to a Basic DBS, the cost of such will be deducted from the first pay instalment upon successful appointment. This role requires Security Clearance and you will need to have been a UK resident for at least 5 years. This role meets the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. Applications are welcome from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK.

Person Specification

• CIPS member or qualified (or equivalent) to at least level 4.
• Degree or equivalent.
• Experience in dealing with the financial, contractual, and commercial aspects of complex contracts.
• Experience in resolving queries and influencing people.
• Management experience of producing contractual, commercial evaluations and other assessments for senior management.
• Ability to draft and review contract change notices and other contractual documentation.
• Self-reliant and tenacious.
• Highly analytical.
• Experience of delivering large-scale procurements within the NHS or Central Government.
• Significant experience of working within a large-scale service management structure.
• Understanding of NHS, wider public procurement and commercial marketplace.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.