Strategic Procurement Policy Manager

Up to £61,000 DOE + bonus
Culham, Oxfordshire, UK
2 days a week onsite
Your new company
My client is a UK government research entity responsible for the development of fusion energy. It operates as an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Their role is to research fusion energy and related technologies, with the aim of positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy. The organisation continues to make strides in fusion energy development, aiming to transform this transformative energy technology into a viable source of power. As such, they are seeking a Strategic Procurement Policy Manager to help them on this journey.
Your new role
In this role, you will be reporting to the Director of Procurement, and will manage two direct reports and lead the organisation on Procurement Policy and Compliance. You will define Procurement Policy following UK Government guidelines, represent the organisation at BEIS Policy and Cabinet Office meetings, and ensure compliance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015. You will also engage with the Cabinet Office on the Government Functional Standard 008 and support strategic leads in project direction. Additionally, you will be responsible for delivering the Procurement service in line with the strategy and objectives, build relationships with Procurement Managers/Leads, and ensure the organisation meets Government Commercial Functional standards. You will provide direction to the Procurement team on Cabinet Office controls, implement policy best practices, and identify trends and new legislation. Another aspect of this role will be managing delivery to incorporate changes into procurements, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts. You will attend BEIS Policy meetings, work with stakeholders to apply PPN requirements to the organisation's processes, and inform the Director of Procurement of novel and contentious issues. You will also implement contract management processes, coordinate efforts for alignment of objectives, and negotiate with customers. You will control procurement costs within budgets, lead negotiations on CMCP funding opportunities, and have approximately £15M signing power authority.
What you'll need to succeed
You should be MCIPS qualified and have experience in Public Sector Procurement with knowledge of OJEU. Excellent interpersonal skills are a must, along with the ability to negotiate at the highest levels. To succeed, you will be commercially astute and customer-focused, with a clear understanding of the NEC contracts. Strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary, with the ability to influence at senior levels. You will have relevant expertise and experience to act as the lead expert for complex/critical procurement and commercial issues and influence both internal and external stakeholders. Knowledge of Cabinet Office Control processes and Government Functional Standards is required. Other duties include mentoring and development of team members, undertaking the CIPS Level 4 Diploma and providing support to training programmes provided by the department when required.
What you need to do now
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