Commercial Team Leader
Salary: £51,220 - £54,371 plus excellent benefits and hybrid working
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Huntingdon (hybrid working)
Being part of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) isn’t just about fighting fires – it’s also about making a difference through innovation, technology and collaboration.
We’re looking for a knowledgeable and motivated Commercial Team Leader, to support front‑line Firefighters and Support Teams. This is your chance to apply your skills where it really matters. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real difference, all the while growing your career, CFRS could be the perfect place for you.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and deliver the organisation’s commercial and procurement strategy. You will drive key initiatives that support the strategic direction of the service, ensuring effective routes to market and robust contract management.
Working closely with Commercial Category Leads, you will provide guidance and oversight to ensure procurement activity is delivered effectively, transparently and in line with organisational priorities. You will also develop and communicate clear procurement plans so that colleagues understand requirements throughout the procurement and contract management lifecycle. In addition, you will collaborate closely with the Head of Commercial.
As part of a high‑performing commercial team, you will champion continuous improvement in procurement processes and contract management, helping to deliver value for money and efficiencies for the organisation and the taxpayer. You will work with key stakeholders and partner organisations to identify collaborative opportunities across blue‑light services, while also supporting the identification and management of supply‑chain risks to strengthen organisational resilience.
About you
Everyone is welcome at CFRS and we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and professional support team.
Qualifications
* Professional qualification and/or Member of or working towards MCIPS (minimum level 5 completed)
* Professional Diploma – Chartered Institute of Purchase & Supply
* Good knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and previous regulations PCR 2015, principles of GPA and WTO Parameters
* Previous experience of using e‑tendering portals
* Commercial awareness within a public sector environment and the emergency services
* Demonstrable experience in examining, advising and negotiating on contracts
* Proficiency in Microsoft packages, including SharePoint, Word and Excel to manipulate and interpret numerical data, along with familiarity with Teams
* Ability to calculate and evaluate numerical data
* Ability to advise, persuade or negotiate within the confines of the regulations
* In‑depth experience of e‑tendering portals such as Central Digital Platform, Contracts Finder, Finder Tender, Delta e‑sourcing, Blue‑Light etc. to provide an auditable tendering mechanism
* Strong organisational skills, able to autonomously prioritise work effectively and deliver to deadlines under pressure
* Demonstrable in‑depth experience of running and managing complex procurement processes
* Adept at working as a team member or working independently when required
Benefits and rewards
When you join CFRS, you’ll benefit from:
* Career progression and specialist training – whether you want to develop new skills, gain qualifications, or advance into leadership, we’ll give you the opportunities to grow
* Health and wellbeing support – we provide access to mental health resources, an Employee Assistance Programme, and occupational health services to support you throughout your career
* A culture of inclusion and belonging – we don’t expect you to fit a mould – we want you to bring your whole self to the job
* As a Disability Confident Employer, we’re committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, with inclusion ambassadors and networks in place to champion every member of our team
* 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with long service
* Competitive pension scheme
* Family‑friendly policies, including flexible working
* Hybrid working options – minimum three days per week office‑based
* Free on‑site parking (site‑specific)
* Access to Blue‑Light discounts at hundreds of retailers and events
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