Commercial Officer (Plus Reserve) - Newport
About the job
Job summary
Please note: Applicants should review all aspects of this advert to ensure a thorough understanding. If reviewing via a screen reader, please note that the Job Description, Benefits and How to Apply sections have been emphasised
Overview of the Commercial Officer role
About this Role
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) are excited to recruit a hands-on Commercial Officer to join our small, dedicated team and play a crucial role in managing public funds through effective contract management and procurement activities.
As a Commercial Officer, you will ensure compliance with Procurement Regulations and the IPO Spend Policy. You will primarily work within the IT contracts category team, providing commercial advice on IT hardware, software, subscriptions, services, and consultancy. Additionally, you will support the IPO's transformation programme and have opportunities to engage with Corporate and People contracts as you settle into your role.
You will be involved in all aspects of public procurement, including contract and supplier management, as well as overseeing commercial records and data.
We are looking for a proactive self-starter with a collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and keen attention to detail. If you are ready to make a significant impact in the UK's intellectual property sector, we encourage you to apply for this exciting position.
Working Style
This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office.
The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.
For further information around the Civil Service recruitment process, please visit our civil service careers page - IPO - Recruitment Support, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Job description
Procurement and Contract Management
* Manage full procurement lifecycle from needs identification to contract award.
* Develop and execute procurement strategies ensuring value for money and policy compliance.
* Maintain compliance with public procurement laws and organisational guidelines.
Supplier Management
* Manage key supplier relationships and stakeholder communications.
* Conduct regular performance reviews to ensure contract adherence and improvement.
Financial and Risk Management
* Manage commercial risks associated with contracts and supplier performance.
* Monitor procurement spend, ensure budget adherence, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Policy and Compliance
* Align procurement activities with organisational policies and public contract regulations.
* Maintain accurate procurement records for audit and compliance purposes.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
* Coordinate procurement strategies with internal departments and external partners.
* Provide commercial advice to project teams and senior management.
Market Analysis and Research
* Conduct market research to identify suppliers and inform procurement decisions.
* Stay updated on procurement regulations, industry practices, and market conditions.
Process Improvement
* Enhance procurement processes, tools, and templates.
* Identify innovation opportunities in commercial activities.
Process Administration
* Utilise e-tendering system for tender publication and contract management.
* Approve Requests to Purchase in the P2P process.
Person specification
To be successful in this role, individuals should encompass the following Key Skills and Competencies:
* Strong understanding of commercial principles, procurement processes and contract management.
* Excellent written and verbal skills to liaise with internal teams and external suppliers.
* Ability to analyse data, market trends and supplier performance to make informed decisions.
* Strong negotiation skills to secure favourable terms with suppliers.
* High level of accuracy in managing procurement documentation and contracts.
* Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
* Provide support to the Category Manager.
Additional Information
As part of the role, the successful candidate will be expected to work towards obtaining, as a minimum, Level 4 CIPS once they have successfully passed probation. This qualification will be funded by the IPO
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Delivering at Pace
* Communicating and Influencing
* Managing a Quality Service
* Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,783, Intellectual Property Office contributes £9,207 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
When working at the IPO you can expect:
* A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities
* 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave
* Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities
* A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group
* Eligibility for special and office-wide bonus payments
* The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network groups, find out more by looking at Intellectual Property Office (IPO) (diversityjobsgroup.com)
* A range of wellbeing initiatives; Onsite Gym (Newport office), Eye Care Scheme, Volunteering Programme, Cycling facilities
* Free car parking is available on site at our Newport office
* On-site shop, restaurant and coffee shop at our Newport office
For more information about what's on offer at the Intellectual Property Office please review our IPO benefit pack attached to the bottom of this advert.
Please note that benefits may be subject to change.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
How to apply
Candidates to note:
* In order to capture your employment history please complete the employment history box under the 'Your CV' section of the online application form.
* All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder
Sift
An initial sift of applications will be carried out to create a shortlist.
This will be based on the evidence provided for the following Success Profile elements:
Experience
When completing your 750-word Personal Statement, please ensure to cover the essential criteria listed below:
Essential Criteria
* Proven experience in Finance, Procurement, or Commercial Teams
* Understanding of professional frameworks and their practical application
* Exceptional communication skills with ability to influence stakeholders
* Ability to:
o Analyse and interpret trends across MI reports
o Build and maintain strong relationships while effectively communicating and influencing stakeholders.
o Excellently self-manage workloads and work independently.
o Work efficiently in complex, fast-paced environments
o Use a problem-solving approach with focus on continuous improvement
* Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
* Solid understanding of public contract regulations
Please note: Any wording submitted over the specified word count will not be assessed. Applicants should take care to ensure they're within the allocated word limit when submitting their application.
Interviews
If invited to interview Behaviours, Experience and Strengthbased questioning will be used.
Behaviours
The below behaviours will be assessed at interview:
* Delivering at Pace
* Communicating and Influencing
* Managing a Quality Service
* Making Effective Decisions
Experience
At interview scenario questions will be used. Candidates will be given further details within the interview invitation.
Strengths
Strengths are the things that we do regularly, do well and that motivate us. We have selected the Strengths that are relevant for this role from the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary. You will be assessed against these during your interview using strength-based interview questions.
Please note: Specific information regarding the Success Profile elements that will be assessed at interview will be contained within the interview invitation
Interviews for this role will be carried out in person at our Newport Office.
The successful candidate would be expected to remain in the role for a minimum of 12 months before applying for another role.
If you require job-specific information, please contact:
Name: Julie Davies
E-mail: Julie.Davies@ipo.gov.uk
Telephone: 01633 813978
For further information around the Civil Service recruitment process, please visit our civil service careers page - IPO - Recruitment Support, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Applicants to note:This post is being advertised to Internal, across Government and external candidates at the same time.
Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted or considered.
Should you have any queries or require any assistance in please contact the IPO Recruitment team at Recruitment@ipo.gov.uk prior to the closing of the post.
In line with Government guidance, successfully appointed candidates will need to provide documents for our Right to Work checks. Information on this will be sent within the invite to interview text.
If you require an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, then please let the recruitment team know via ; recruitment@ipo.gov.uk
For more information on the IPO's terms and conditions, please review the attached IPO Modernised Terms and Conditions document attached at the bottom of this advert.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
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)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .