Associate Commercial Lead

at  Department for Energy Security Net Zero

JOB SUMMARY

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Do you want to work in a government department that is at the forefront of current policy making decisions that will impact the UK and beyond? If yes then a career at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) could be for you.
Here at DESNZ we are securing the UK’s long-term energy supply, bringing down energy bills and halving inflation. We are seizing the opportunities of Net Zero to lead the world in new green industries and encouraging greater energy efficiency across the UK. The work of the department has never been more timely or relevant, and by joining us you will be part of making that difference.
Our work is varied, interesting and most importantly it’s impactful. Our DESNZ Values are interwoven into everything we do; we are Bold, we are Collaborative, we are Inclusive and we Learn. As a department we are committed to these values to build a culture where everyone can thrive.
We offer great working benefits including a world-class pension, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The role is responsible for supporting the Business Partner Commercial team in planning and executing the procurement of goods and services for DESNZ that delivers value for money, is compliant with procurement law, and which demonstrates best commercial and procurement practice.
The role involves providing procurement support to cross-functional teams by running specific workstreams or undertaking activities such as research, stakeholder engagement, evaluation, eSourcing, etc.
The role will involve working closely and collaboratively with stakeholders, and to participate in cross functional teams to deliver value through the effective management of stakeholders and supplier relationships. While the job holder is assigned to a procurement role in a specific Business Unit, they will be expected to support other Business Units or to undertake contract management responsibilities as required to support fluctuations in workload.
Support within the Heat Networks team, additional details available to successful candidates.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

• Technical Knowledge Requirements.
• Experience of managing procurements projects or working in large commercial programmes to set timescales and objectives.
• Knowledge of UK procurement law and commercial best practice and experience of applying this to procurement activities.
• Commercially astute and able to negotiate best value for money with suppliers in contract negotiations.
• Experience of drafting commercial cases as part of business cases development.
• In depth understanding and knowledge of relevant category, supply market, pricing and commercial practices.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Government Accounting.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Understanding Needs and Sourcing Options
• Procurement Process
• Contract and Supplier Management

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £40,950, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero contributes £11,056 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leading the delivery of commercial advice and commercial activity across the full commercial cycle from commercial strategy to contract exit, informed by commercial risks and delivering policy area objectives.

General:

• Management of pipeline of procurements and register of contracts. This includes the use of the jagger platform.
• Development of appropriate business cases following the Green Book 5 case model.
• Development of contractual or grant documentation.
• Negotiation with suppliers or partner organisations.
• Ensuring adherence to commercial processes, Public Sector regulations and procedures.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues in policy, delivery, finance, PMO, Legal and the wider BEIS Commercial team.
• Providing advice and guidance for contract managers to deliver best value and quality outputs for contracts and projects.
• Strong persuasion skills are required for influencing and engaging senior stakeholders, including presentation skills.

Procurement:

• Develop and lead procurements for DESNZ, supporting more complex procurements, that conform to DESNZ Procurement Policy & Procedures Manual and which comply fully with EU procurement law, DESNZ and government policy, and assurance processes.
• Produce procurement strategies for goods and services collaboratively with Commercial teams and the relevant DESNZ business unit and develop a deep understanding of the supply market, category, and business context for both ongoing business and each specific procurement. Provide options and opportunities from commercial perspective looking at aspects such as requirements, solution options, risks, benefits and sustainability.
• Build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in order to develop a clear and agreed view on the needs of the business and target outcomes, aligning this with government initiatives where appropriate.

Support the delivery of complex procurements through the management of activities such as:

• Production of financial analyses and projections.
• Appraisal of supplier proposals.
• Leadership of procurement workstreams, delivering to timescales and objectives.
• Running processes such as eSourcing.
• Deliver cashable savings and other financial/non-financial benefits against targets.
• Provide commercial advice to peers or senior colleagues that draws on relevant procurement legislation, policy, information, supply market knowledge, and commercial experience. Monitor developments in procurement policy and commercial case law.
• Select appropriate commercial models using early market engagement and robust data to inform decisions.
• Understand the key financial, legal and commercial issues in the development of the contracting model and implement these as appropriate in the contract terms and conditions.
• Ensure that commercial risks are identified, understood, and managed at all stages of the procurement, and that ongoing risks are transferred seamlessly into contract management.
• Participate in the negotiation of high value DESNZ procurements and lead on lower value contracts.
• Provide continuity through a planned transition from tendering/contract award to contract management, which protects commercial gains and knowledge, manages risk, and ensures necessary resources and budgets are in place to appropriately manage the contract and maintain the expected value for money over the full contract term.
• Ensure that procurement strategies consider Purchase to Pay (P2P) policy and process to identify the most efficient and effective way to acquire the procured goods and services.
• Gather lessons learned from procurements and ensure these are documented to inform future projects.