Defra group Commercial is looking to appoint an Assistant Commercial Officer to the Monitoring And Related Services (MARS) commercial team within our Environmental Goods and Services spend category. This will be a key support role for the team which could also include leading on your own procurements. This would be an excellent role to either start your career within the commercial/procurement profession or build upon your existing experience.
Defra Group Commercial (DGC) is part of Defra, the central Government Department responsible for growing the rural economy; improving the environment; and safeguarding animal and plant health. DGC is responsible for providing a commercial service to organisations within the Defra Network.
This post requires the post-holder to assist customers and commercial teams to deliver value effectively and innovatively so that the customer organisation outcomes and objectives can be met alongside the fulfilment of Spending Review targets.
The post-holder will be required to award and monitor supplier contracts in accordance with Defra’s commercial policies and procedures. They will be expected to deliver propriety and value for money whilst applying the Commercial DNA principles.
The work requires a positive and proactive approach to customer service. Typical activity includes reviewing and interpreting requests from internal customers, advising on commercial policies and procedures, and providing advice on commercial issues and governance.
The post holder will be expected to engage with colleagues across the country, building the Commercial network both internally and through the wider Defra network and Government Bodies.
The Environmental Goods and Services category manages a high volume of scientifically focused commercial agreements in the environmental science field. The work predominantly consists of low- to medium-value projects. The role holder will play a pivotal part in achieving efficient procurement processes and enhanced customer service.
The Assistant Commercial Officer role will report to a Senior Category / Commercial Officer (SEO). The job description is generic and may apply to all Assistant Commercial Officer roles.
You will:
1. Support and assist in delivery of projects, procurements, and contract / supplier management roles across the full Commercial DNA at the appropriate level, providing functional / specialist input to improve ways of working and business change & efficiency.
2. Be responsible for explaining Commercial guidance to operational teams at the appropriate level to influence compliance with Defra policy / legislation / best practice ways of working and facilitate contact with relevant members of the Commercial team to support them.
3. Keep up to date on changing legislation / best practice internally, to inform internal priorities and appropriate alignment.
4. Sustain effective relationships with operational teams and customers to understand issues and provide effective responses, facilitating contact with relevant members of the Commercial team.
5. Support team members to deliver results on time, to required quality standards and cost to fulfill the business plan and support environmental goals.
6. Manage own resources to meet business needs, including electronic sourcing and contract management applications, to maximize the efficient and effective use of finances and people, ensuring activities are completed to time, cost, and quality targets.
7. Support the development of Defra sub-category and category plans and develop own market category knowledge.
8. Provide comprehensive administrative support to the line manager / team, ensuring efficient systems are in place to maximize the effective use of time.
9. Support the delivery of contracts such that sustainable impacts and opportunities are identified and managed throughout the commercial lifecycle.
The post-holder will be accountable for:
1. The provision of day-to-day advice on straightforward commercial issues and governance, identifying savings opportunities to contribute to the Commercial group’s savings target.
2. Assisting Commercial colleagues with the delivery of more complex procurements:
* Research, compile, and analyze relevant information to support sourcing strategies and contribute to business plans.
* Supporting and helping to deliver market engagement exercises.
* Preparing pre-tender and tender documents in conjunction with team members.
* Assist Commercial colleagues in publishing all requests for information documentation, assisting with supplier queries, opening the information documentation, and helping prepare for evaluations.
* Assist with the preparation of contract management documentation in conjunction with stakeholders.
1. Supporting the management of more complex (Gold and Silver) Contracts and the commercial and contractual interaction with suppliers.
2. Researching, compiling, and analyzing relevant information to support the management and development of key supplier relationships.
3. Maintaining a strong customer focus to ensure effective relationship building and partnership working to raise the profile of Commercial activity within the customer base.
4. Participating in meetings with internal stakeholders and supporting commercial colleagues as required.
5. Monitoring information on commercial and contract management IT systems and applications to support decision making, ensuring data is stored accurately and is up to date.
6. Engaging in continuous professional development to improve commercial awareness and skills, supporting development of the Category and Sub-category plans.
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