Commercial Manager - Science - £46,160 p.a. + benefits

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; Potters Bar; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory agency in healthcare seeks a Commercial Manager - Science to oversee procurement for various categories, ensuring efficiency and value for money. The role demands managing stakeholder relationships, delivering compliant contracts, and driving commercial improvements within a public sector environment. Candidates should have relevant experience in procurement processes and a solid understanding of contract management principles. This role is full-time and based in the UK, offering competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave

Flexible working

Interest-free season ticket loan

Qualifications

• Proven procurement experience in the public sector.
• Experience in drafting contracts and purchasing strategies.
• Strong understanding of Public Sector Procurement lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Procurement lifecycle activities.
• Engage stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies.
• Manage the procurement pipeline and contract compliance.
• Deliver value for money and manage commercial risk.

Skills

Procurement in public sector

Contract management

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Working Conditions

This is a full‑time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based at our Science Campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Commercial team reports to the Chief Finance Officer and is charged with improving commercial outcomes, driving value for money, embedding a stronger commercial focus, reducing risk and improving commercial capability across the MHRA.

Commercial Manager – Science

The Commercial team is responsible for the purchase of goods in services in the categories of Digital and Technology, Facilities Management, Science and Corporate; with a combined portfolio of circa~400 contracts with an addressable spend circa£120m per annum.

The position for Commercial Manager – Science reports to the Head of Commercial – Science and FM and delivers across a set of ambitious and exciting commercial challenges within the Science category of spend. The key activities are to engage with the business to achieve their goals through management of MHRA's commercial relationships and the commercial pipeline, driving value for money and value creation whilst managing commercial risk effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on the end-to-end Procurement lifecycle activities including managing and administering tenders in line with the Agency procurement policy whilst also supporting good contract management across the Agency and providing high quality advice.
• Deliver procurement and commercial activity across the Science category to include engaging with stakeholders at all levels and working in partnership with Agency divisions to develop and execute strategies for sourcing requirements in line with the Agency procurement policy and category strategy.
• Actively manage the procurement pipeline by ensuring awareness of incoming projects and impending contracts expiring over the short / medium and long term and engaging with contract owners to develop and implement strategies.
• Deliver robust and compliant contracts that demonstrate value for money, maximise the return on investment, manage risk appropriately and deliver improved performance, seeking alternative commercial and service delivery models as appropriate.
• Provide support and advice for the stakeholder community and promote procurement excellence, and good contract management whilst actively challenging inappropriate processes or bad practice to aid compliance.
• Support and maintain accurate record keeping and administration of commercial activities across the Science category including supporting and driving our transparency obligations and driving reporting of commercial activities. Administering commercial activities includes the e-sourcing platform (Atamis).

Security & Background Checks

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro‑life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include laboratory‑based roles working directly with known pathogens, maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings, roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required and roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre‑employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• National of the Republic of Ireland
• National of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• National of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• National of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Experience and Technical Criteria

• Experience of procurement in either the public sector ideally or science category.
• Evidence of developing, implementing, and administering purchasing strategies and drafting contracts that require analysis, comparison, and assessment.
• Successful negotiation and issue resolution and advising and supporting stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end Public Sector Procurement lifecycle and core principles in particular the respective responsibilities of procurement and wider stakeholder groups, understanding the market procurement and tender administration with a good grasp of contract management principles.
• Understanding and experience of Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Good understanding of complex policies and guidance and being able to interpret, explain and apply them to senior stakeholders to support decision making.
• Experience of Public Sector Contracts and Frameworks.
• Communicating and Influencing (I).
• Seeing the Big Picture (I).
• Changing and Improving (I).
• Demonstrable procurement experience in the public sector (I).
• Experience of effectively communicating in plain English complex guidance, ideas, or processes to include technical jargon. (I).
• Using strong numerical, grammar, and analytical skills to understand and interpret complicated information. (A).
• Working as part of a team and being solutions orientated. (A, I).
• Managing and prioritising your own workload. (A, I).
• Strong understanding of the importance of record keeping and audit trail within the procurement life cycle. (A, I).

Strengths Criteria

• Confident (I).
• Organiser (I).
• Team Player (I).
• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
• People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Salary and Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,160, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £13,372 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro‑rata for part‑time staff.
• Privilege Leave: 1 day.
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full‑time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro‑rata for part‑time staff.
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay.
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666.
• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work‑life balance.
• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan.
• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund.
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA).
• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs.
• On‑going learning and development.

EEO Statement

This job may be performed by men and women, and requires an equal and fair chance for all applicants regardless of race, creed, colour, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other statutory protected characteristic.