About the role

Commercial Business Partner at UK Research and Innovation developing procurement strategies and managing supplier relationships. Ensuring contractual compliance and optimizing value for multiple spend categories.

Responsibilities

Support the Head of Procurement in developing and delivering UKRI-wide commercial strategies across multiple spend categories.
Identify commercial opportunities, ensure effective contract performance throughout the lifecycle, and drive improvements in efficiency, value for money, and procurement capability.
Provide expert advice on procurement regulations, lead supplier relationship management for strategic suppliers, and contribute to continuous enhancement of the central procurement function.
Ensure all procurement activity uses the most effective route to market, delivering value for money and full regulatory compliance.
Provide oversight and support on procurement activities delivered through UK SBS, ensuring sound decision-making and appropriate assurance.
Provide support for UKRI wide commercial projects and work with wider Commercial team to assign tasks and delegate to appropriate team members.
Challenge and support major projects and programmes to ensure commercial approaches optimize value and manage risk effectively.
Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, acting as the escalation point for major decisions and contract approvals.
Apply tools, data, and market analysis to assess supply markets, risks, trends, and opportunities to improve commercial insight.
Use management information and datasets to support strategic planning and commercial decision-making.
Promote high standards of commercial professionalism across the function and wider organisation.

Degree level in a commercial discipline or equivalent (S).
MCIPs qualified (S).
Demonstrable experience of managing and leading strategic procurement projects effectively (S&I).
Significant experience and knowledge of managing complex commercial transactions (I).
Management-level commercial experience gained in a complex organization (S&I).
Experience of delivering complex procurement projects in a public sector environment (S).
Experience in a procurement role providing procurement support to a highly technical organization (S).
Experience of contract and supplier management, including dispute resolution (S&I).
Experience of procurement risk identification, management and mitigation (I).
Ability to understand, interpret, advise, amend and negotiate contracts terms (S&I).

An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
Flexible working options.
Many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!