At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and manage contracts to ensure value for money.
- Company: Join the Vehicle Certification Agency, a leader in vehicle safety and environmental protection.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working options, and a generous pension contribution.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public safety while developing your commercial expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 47185 - 57671 £ per year.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport.
Our purpose is to improve vehicle safety and environmental protection through the delivery of robust testing, certification, and approval services to internationally recognised standards.
With more than 40 years of experience, VCA has established itself as one of the largest and most respected vehicle approval authorities in the world., We are seeking a motivated Procurement Manager to join our Commercial team at Senior Executive Officer (SEO) level.
The Commercial team forms part of VCA's Corporate Services function and works closely with Finance and other business areas.
The team provides expert procurement and contract management advice across the organisation, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation and government commercial policies.
It leads on procurement activities and supports the effective management of contracts throughout their lifecycle.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for experienced procurement and contract management professionals, as well as individuals with strong analytical and transferable skills who are looking to develop their commercial expertise within central government.
As a Procurement Manager, you will play a key role in delivering procurement and contract management activities across a diverse range of categories.
Working across the commercial lifecycle, you will help secure critical goods and services, ensuring value for money, compliance with regulations, effective risk management, and positive commercial outcomes for VCA.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at VCA As a Procurement Manager within the VCA Commercial team, you will impart expert pre-procurement advice, undertake procurements, support contract management, contribute to commercial governance, and work closely with internal stakeholders and the Department for Transport (Df T) Commercial team to ensure value for money and strong commercial outcomes.
Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to
- Lead end to end procurement activity across a variety of categories including professional services, technology, operational services, and corporate requirements.
- Develop clear, robust tender documentation including specifications, evaluation criteria and contract terms.
- Manage market engagement, tendering, evaluation, moderation and contract award.
- Apply up to date knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Procurement Act 2023 and Cabinet Office commercial policy.
- Ensure appropriate use of government wide frameworks (e. g., GCA) and support sound route to market decisions.
- Maintain accurate procurement documentation and ensure complete audit trails.
- Provide timely and professional procurement advice to stakeholders across the agency.
- Support early engagement to shape requirements and challenge specifications to ensure competitive, compliant and value driven outcomes.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards.
There is the possibility of line management being part of the role in future.
Flexible resourcing Colleagues are expected to work with a degree of flexibility, meaning responsibilities may change to support priority delivery.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Procurement Manager in Swansea employer: Vehicle Certification Agency
The Vehicle Certification Agency is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a generous pension contribution of 28.97%, flexible working options, and a commitment to career development through funded qualifications, employees can thrive in their roles while enjoying a healthy work-life balance in the vibrant city of Bristol.
Contact Details:
Vehicle Certification Agency Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Swansea
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Vehicle Certification Agency.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Vehicle Certification Agency:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Vehicle Certification Agency. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Vehicle Certification Agency.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vehicle Certification Agency
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Vehicle Certification Agency!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Vehicle Certification Agency. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Vehicle Certification Agency's culture.
