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About the job
Job summary
This is an exciting and interesting opportunity to join a professional procurement team that delivers a multitude of contracts covering the full breadth of goods and services that Cefas requires to deliver its science.
For the role of Procurement Manager we are looking for someone who can contribute their expertise and experience in public sector procurement to the Cefas procurement team to enhance the provision of an excellent professional service to our customers.
The Procurement Manager will play a lead role in the wider procurement team supporting and mentoring other members of the team and leading on a variety of strategic procurements, contract management and commercial activities. This will include the procurement of international sub-contractors, scientific goods and services, a range of corporate services such as IT, and laboratory related supplies and services.
Alongside this the successful applicant will build on the team ethos of continuous improvement by leading team initiatives to enhance the Cefas procurement service offering as well as implementation of the upcoming new Procurement Bill in late 2024.
Cefas is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, backgrounds, ways of working and thinking, makes us a stronger organisation, better at reflecting the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.
Job description
The main duties and responsibilities involves for this role include:
- Providing strategic and day to day advice on all procurement matters
- Enhance value to business from Cefas external spend across a diverse range of categories from lab consumables to science sub-contracts
- Understand and ensure compliance with EU and UK Government procurement regulations, through effective guidance, procedures and processes
- Enhance and maintain an appropriate and efficient spend reporting regime to identify improvement opportunities and meet all reporting and publication needs
- In conjunction with internal customers, Defra group Commercial and other public sector partners, maintain a comprehensive suite of procurement routes to meet Cefas needs for effective and efficient third party sub contract support
- Lead the ongoing development of forecasts and the forward procurement strategy and delivery model for Cefas
- Lead on tendering and negotiation of strategic procurements following public sector regulations
- Maintain an appropriate relationship with the wider Defra group Commercial function ensuring collaboration and cross working where beneficial
- Where appropriate, ensure sub-contractor and Cefas customer terms and conditions are aligned
Person specification
The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) qualification or equivalent degree in a related subject such as economics, business, business administration or supply chain management, or able to demonstrate having related work experience and outlined in this personal specification
- Demonstrable experience of public sector procurement, running above threshold procurement processes and the understanding of the requirements for open, fair and transparent processes
- Has the ability to establish & implement procurement strategies relevant to Cefas business needs
- Have experience of maximising value through good contract management practice
- Has a sound understanding of managing procurement risks through strategies and terms and conditions (Ts and Cs)
- Has a detailed knowledge & experience of EU and UK Government public procurement procedures and regulations and how to apply them pragmatically
- The ability to build good relationships across a range of stakeholders and levels
- The ability to negotiate, influence and persuade others
- Good commercial awareness and the ability to judge situations and make sound business decisions
- The ability to innovate to reduce bureaucracy and streamline procedures
- Able to demonstrate having effective verbal and written communication skills
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement - Cefas offers 25 days' annul leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday
- Access to learning and development tailored to your role
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme - more information can be found on the CSP website Home - Civil Service Pension Scheme
- Staff recognition vouchers
- In-year award scheme
Blended Working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Full details of all relevant policies will be available as part of the induction or laid out in the contract when offer accepted.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word Personal Statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead Behaviour – Communicating and Influencing.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
- For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles
- For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
- For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement
- For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours
Sift
The sift panel will use the information in your CV and Personal Statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead Behaviour statement – Communicating and Influencing.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the advertised behaviours, and your experience (as stated in the person specification section). You may also be asked to prepare a presentation or undertake an exercise. If this is the case, you will receive further information with your invitation to interview.
Please be aware that at this time, interviews will be taking place remotely via Microsoft Teams.
If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead Behaviour – Communicating and Influencing, will be used by the panel.
Location
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Lowestoft or Weymouth. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.
