Assistant Commercial Manager

UCAS; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

UCAS is seeking a Procurement Manager to partner with business leaders, managing supplier relationships and contract negotiations to drive value and minimize risks. This role requires a degree in a business-related field and significant experience in procurement processes. The successful candidate will enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a supportive hybrid working environment.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus 3 concessionary days

Flexible working policy

Generous pension scheme

Discounts with Perkbox

Internal training and development

Subsidised gym and café

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a business-related subject.
• Significant experience in procurement management or similar role.
• Ability to manage tendering processes and supplier relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage end to end tender processes for significant suppliers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Implement sourcing strategies to deliver maximum value to UCAS.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Business acumen

Microsoft Office

eProcurement tools

Education

Degree in business-related subject

CIPS qualification (or part qualified)

Job description

UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education.

UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers.

We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers — they're at the heart of everything we do.

Business Unit Description

Our Finance and Corporate Services business unit is a fusion of multiple functions — financial planning and accounting, facilities and building management, procurement, corporate governance and performance, legal and compliance. The Finance Team also defines UCAS' financial strategy.

About The Role Contractual Hours

35.00

About The Role

Partner with business leaders across the organisation establishing solutions that drive value for money for UCAS with commercial insight and acumen. The role will work with business commissioners commercial managers and significant suppliers to deliver commercial outcomes that result in contracts and relationships that support high quality delivery and performance of critical activities. Support in establishing and maintaining procurement policy, processes and controls to drive value and minimize UCAS’ exposure to risk.

Key accountabilities:

• Manage end to end tender processes and renewals for significant suppliers that support delivery of critical activities from requirements gathering, building specifications, evaluation of tenders, contract awards and commercial support to contact owners during contract duration.
• Recommend and implement continuous Category Management improvements.
• Take ownership for the development, review and implementation of appropriate sourcing strategies for medium-sized, medium-term contracts to deliver maximum value to UCAS and ensure delivery against the commercial plan and business requirements.
• Develop, manage and maintain proactive and robust relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive value and minimize risks for UCAS.
  
  

Skills, Qualifications, And Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a business-related subject or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of work experience.
• Holds CIPS qualification or part qualified with commitment to continue working towards.
• Significant previous experience of working in or supporting a procurement management team within a larger matrix management structure.
• Able to demonstrate detailed understanding of tendering requirements from conception through to contract delivery and award, through to effective relationship management.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and eProcurement tools.
• Good interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Able to demonstrate experience of robust and successful negotiation skills.
• Able to work under pressure and within strict deadlines.
• Good business acumen and experience of working within commercial and policy rules.
• Possess strong influencing skills and the ability to influence and motivate others using personal rather than positional power.
  
  

Package

Salary - up to £45,000

• 30 days annual leave (plus 3 concessionary days over Christmas and your bank holidays!)
• Flexibility – UCAS positively supports Hybrid working for its employees, meaning you can work between home and the office in a way that suits you and the business and also has a comprehensive Flexible Working Policy
• A generous pension scheme
• Hundreds of high street discounts and offers with Perkbox
• Internal training and development
• Subsidised gym and café
• Be rewarded for going above and beyond with our ex-gratia bonus scheme and Celebrating U, our quarterly employee recognition scheme
• Dedicated volunteer employee networks promoting wellbeing, awareness and inclusion
  
  

Working Arrangements Is fully remote working an option?

No