Procurement Specialist - IT or Corporate Services

Do you have the experience to deliver in an interesting, challenging & exciting role where no day is ever the same, knowing that you are ultimately contributing to positively changing the life of UK citizens? If so then this is the opportunity for you.

Our client, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) touches the lives of everyone in the UK in some shape or form, delivering services and support to help people find work, assist with a disability or provide support through their retirement. Their total spend across these services in 2016/17 was GBP173bn. These services are constantly evolving, taking advantage of new technologies or changes in ministerial priorities and policies. As a key part of this organisation, the Commercial Directorate (CD) shape how services are delivered across hundreds of third party contractual arrangements; with an annual procurement spend in the region of GBP3bn with some of the largest industry suppliers.

We are looking for talented, enthusiastic commercial professionals who are driven and dynamic individuals with a proactive manner and experience of building strong positive relationships. You will be able to identify problems and build creative solutions whilst ensuring commercially sound outcomes and recognising opportunities to improve our ways of working.

As Procurement Specialist/Commercial Practitioner, you will be key in the delivery of end to end category management and work closely as part of the team to understand business requirements, liaising with category teams and stakeholders across the business to either commission or independently procure requirements as appropriate to the business needs and category strategy.

You will be responsible for:

• Undertaking the development, review, negotiation and execution of large, complex contracts (existing and new), developing market insight and the management of related suppliers enabling the delivery of the commercial pipeline.
• Deliver agreed supplier cost reduction targets from these contracts, identify and implement changes to deliver increased efficiencies via process improvements and demand management, whilst maintaining adequate performance and risk management.
• Actively utilise Bravo as the Department's eProcurement tool and other appropriate technology support tools to deliver effective commercial support, sourcing and contract management outcomes.
• Provide commercial support and guidance to key stakeholders (internal and external) in a proactive manner, ensuring that appropriate "best outcome" commercial solutions are delivered in line with DWP, CD and relevant Category strategies. Actively develop and maintain positive supplier relationships, encouraging innovation, "value-add" initiatives and a strong customer service ethic.
• Support the professional and personal development of self and others, ensuring they are deployed in roles properly aligned to their skill sets and aspirations.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement with a view to delivering efficiencies, and provide high quality support to Ministerial, DWP corporate and CD senior leadership.
• Actively engage with external peers and their governing bodies/trade associations, remaining current with industry Best Practice.

You will have:

• Proven hands-on operational & strategic sourcing experience of IT/Technology or Corporate Services.
• Hands-on involvement with delivering of business critical projects, involving the review and assessment of complex documentation (e.g. legal, contractual, terms of engagement, policy);
• Proven commercial acumen, able to assess the financial impacts of operational events and take the initiative in creating "value add" opportunities;
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to engage and influence others
• Well-developed analytical, organisational and problem solving skills;
• Experience/knowledge of the relevant supplier markets;

• A strong grasp of supplier performance management issues;
• A thorough understanding of Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the ability to effectively and efficiently lead diverse category management teams;

• Experience/knowledge of the commercial lifecycle and proficient in the relevant legislation e.g. EU procurement Directives;
• For roles in the Technology Category, an understanding of IT markets and agile methodology is desirable;
• For the SRM role, the candidate must also be familiar with the concept of relationship management, have strong interpersonal skills, and strong Microsoft Office skills.

Qualifications/professional memberships:

• MCIPS or similar is desirable but not essential;
• Confirmed as demonstrating the necessary commercial skills (competencies) based on prior procurement experience.

  What DWP can offer you:

• A modern working environment and inclusive place to work, the opportunity to work alongside like-minded supportive individuals sharing the same common goal.
• Opportunities for future career progression, across a wide variety of roles and opportunities for those seeking a long term fulfilling and varied career.
• Ability to build upon existing skills and capability through a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Closing Date for applications: 2 nd May 2018

To register your interest in these opportunities please forward your full CV and Statement of Suitability to DWP's retained recruitment partners GPA Procurement (UK) Ltd at , stating your location and current salary details or contact us on for a confidential conversation.

Please note that the personal statement should include the candidates view on their skills, summarising their key practical experience against the criteria set out in the advert.

To determine the final list of candidates for interview applications will be sifted on: Commercial Experience; Market Knowledge; Stakeholder Engagement / Team Working and Building Capability.

Successful candidates must pass a Disclosure and Barring Security Check.

GPA Procurement (UK) Limited (GPA) acts as an employment business and an employment agency. GPA is committed to equal opportunity and diversity.