Senior Commercial Officer

Government Recruitment Service; Warrington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Senior Commercial Officer to support various environmental projects. The ideal candidate will manage high-value contracts and lead commercial strategies to improve environmental outcomes. Responsibilities include collaborating on procurement strategies and engaging with stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and contract management. This is a pivotal role in supporting the UK Government's environmental initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial delivery of projects within government or public sector.
• Strong understanding of procurement strategies and tender processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and leadership in delivery of medium to high-value projects.
• Develop procurement or grant strategies and contribute to business plans.
• Manage market engagement exercises and conduct tenders.

Skills

Commercial expertise

Contract management

Project delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Overview

This is a really exciting opportunity to work within Defra Group Commercial and use your commercial expertise to directly contribute towards improving and protecting the environment.

We are recruiting into 4 Senior Commercial Officer (SCO) SEO grade roles across 2 key categories of spend:

• Environmental Goods and Services - Land Use and Biodiversity Services Team – Expert advice and commercial support on a range of contracts related to environmental services, ecology, biodiversity, land use and land management
• Environmental Goods and Services – Veterinary, Animal & Plant related & Laboratory Goods & Services Team – Expert advice and commercial support on a range of contracts including laboratory equipment and maintenance and veterinary and disease control
• Grants and Grant Prominent Programmes - in The Marine Recovery Fund. Expert advice and commercial support on The Marine Recovery Fund which is a ground breaking new funding model designed to unlock the UK’s offshore wind (OFW) potential while safeguarding marine biodiversity. It plays a pivotal role in delivering the UK Government’s mission to Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower and Kickstart Economic Growth.
• Grants and Grant Prominent Programmes - in the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF). Expert advice and commercial support on The Nature Restoration Fund which is a bold new approach to environmental delivery, designed to unlock economic growth while restoring nature at scale. Enabled by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, these programmes are central to the UK Government’s mission to Kickstart Economic Growth and deliver on its nature recovery and biodiversity targets.

Please indicate within your application whether you’re happy to be considered for all the category roles and whether you have a preference.

Responsibilities

• Providing support and leadership in the commercial delivery of medium to high-value and risk projects, procurements, grants and contract/supplier management within a market-facing category team throughout the entire commercial life cycle.
• Developing initial procurement or grant strategies and contributing to business plans.
• Planning and managing market engagement exercises.
• Collaborating with customers to prepare pre-tender and tender documents.
• Conducting tenders in compliance with Public Contracts Regulations and managing evaluations.
• Formulating recommendations for tender outcomes (Contract Award Reports) for approval via Governance Boards.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to prepare contract or grant management documentation.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with suppliers to ensure exceptional performance in cost, service, and quality.
• Providing day-to-day advice and recommendations on commercial risks and issues, considering risk, commercial opportunities, and maximizing value for money and savings.
• Overseeing the delivery of contracts or grants to identify and manage sustainable impacts and opportunities throughout the commercial lifecycle.
• Some roles may include line management responsibilities for Commercial Officers, including setting objectives, managing performance, and supporting learning and development.
• Working with customers to deliver value effectively and innovatively to meet organisational outcomes and objectives while fulfilling key corporate targets.
• Awarding and monitoring medium-value, medium-to-high-risk contracts or grants in accordance with Defra's commercial policies and procedures to ensure propriety and value for money across the commercial life cycle.
• Providing strategic support to the team by promoting commercial policies and procedures, influencing final outcomes, and offering expert advice on commercial issues and governance.
• Engaging with colleagues nationwide to build a strong commercial network internally and through the wider Defra network and Government Bodies.