Commercial Officer

First Military Recruitment; Corsham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

First Military Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Officer in Corsham to support the full procurement lifecycle, from definition to contract award and post-award management. The role demands strong commercial judgement and stakeholder engagement to deliver value for money in defence-related services.

This position emphasizes managing market engagements, supplier relationships and category strategies to achieve savings while aligning with national security priorities.

Qualifications

• In-depth experience in a commercial or procurement environment, covering sourcing through to contract and supplier management.
• Proven category management experience, with the ability to engage confidently with the market and implement category strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with excellent communication abilities.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with suppliers to achieve savings and value for money.
• Confident decision-maker, able to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Hold CIPS Level 4 qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate procurement activities, including market engagement, sourcing strategies, evolution, contract award and supplier management.
• Manage contracts post-award, ensuring compliance, performance monitoring and effective supplier relationships.
• Engage confidently with the market to implement category strategies and achieve savings and value for money.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external partners to support procurement objectives.
• Provide commercial expertise and advice to project teams, supporting approval processes and decision-making.
• Manage competing priorities, assess information rapidly and adapt to dynamic situations effectively.
• Uphold policies, ethical standards and promote continuous improvement within the commercial function.
• Act as a point of escalation for commercial issues and support team resource allocation and succession planning where applicable.
• Desirable: Experience providing commercial expertise to support project teams in achieving approvals and delivering complex procurements.
• Desirable: Experience leading and managing teams within a commercial or procurement context.

Skills

Procurement lifecycle

Category management

Stakeholder management

Supplier negotiations

Decision making

Multi-priority management

CIPS Level 4

Education

CIPS Level 4 qualification

Job description

JS388 - Commercial Officer
Location: Corsham
Salary: Competitive Day Rate / In Scope IR35
Contract duration: 24 months

Overview:
First Military Recruitment are currently seeking a Commercial Officer on behalf of one of our clients.

The Commercial Officer will support the full procurement lifecycle, managing requirements from definition through to contract award and ongoing contract management. This role demands strong commercial judgement, stakeholder engagement and the ability to deliver value for money while supporting defence operational priorities.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to national security through effective procurement of network services and strategic communication systems.

Our client encourages applications from ex-military personnel however all candidates will be given due consideration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate procurement activities, including market engagement, sourcing strategies, evaluation, contract award and supplier management.
• Manage contracts post-award, ensuring compliance, performance monitoring and effective supplier relationships.
• Engage confidently with the market to implement category strategies and achieve savings and value for money.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external partners to support procurement objectives.
• Provide commercial expertise and advice to project teams, supporting approval processes and decision-making.
• Manage competing priorities, assess information rapidly and adapt to dynamic situations effectively.
• Uphold policies, ethical standards and promote continuous improvement within the commercial function.
• Act as a point of escalation for commercial issues and support team resource allocation and succession planning where applicable.

Skills and Qualifications:

• In-depth experience in a commercial or procurement environment, covering sourcing through to contract and supplier management.
• Proven category management experience, with the ability to engage confidently with the market and implement category strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with excellent communication abilities.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating with suppliers to achieve savings and value for money.
• Confident decision-maker, able to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Level 4 qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable:

• Experience providing commercial expertise to support project teams in achieving approvals and delivering complex procurements.
• Experience leading and managing teams within a commercial or procurement content