## Entry-Level 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 Entry-Level Commercial Officer role**
* *About this Role**
Join our Commercial team at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and play a crucial part in managing public funds through effective contract management and procurement activities. In the entry-level role, alongside the Commercial Officer you will contribute to ensuring 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 IPOs transformation programme and have opportunities to engage with Corporate and People contracts as you settle into your role. successful individual will be supported in this role and gain exposure to all aspects of public procurement, including contract and supplier management, as well as overseeing commercial records and data. We seek 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 UKs 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 Support**
* Assist with procurement processes, including tender documentation, bid evaluation, and contract award procedures.
* Maintain records and ensure compliance with internal policies and Public Contracts Regulations.
* *Contract Administration**
* Support existing contract administration, monitor KPIs, and assist in resolving supplier issues.
* Manage contract documentation and assist with renewals and amendments.
* *Supplier Relationship Management**
* Maintain supplier relationships, assist performance reviews, and convey expectations.
* Serve as a point of contact for supplier queries and minor issues.
* *Compliance and Policy Adherence**
* Ensure adherence to procurement policies and best practices.
* Prepare reports on procurement activities, spend, and supplier performance.
* *Market Research and Analysis**
* Conduct preliminary market research and compile data to uphhold procurement decisions.
* *Process Improvement and Administration**
* Identify and implement process improvements.
* Use e-tendering system for tenders, contracts, and purchase orders.
* 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:
* Effective multitasking and prioritisation skills
* Strong written and verbal communication for liaising with internal teams and suppliers
* High accuracy in managing procurement records and contracts
* Basic analytical skills for evaluating supplier bids and monitoring contract performance
* Team-oriented with a collaborative approach
* Ability to support 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** Well 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 £28,883, Intellectual Property Office contributes £8,367 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 whats 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 spamjunk 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 500-word Personal Statement, please ensure to cover the essential criteria listed below:
* *Essential Criteria**
* Administrative or commercial role experience
* Understanding of procurement principles, supplier management, and contract administration
* Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
* Ability to:
* Analyse management information reports
* Build and maintain stakeholder relationships
* Self-manage workloads independently
* Work effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment
* Problem-solve and drive process improvements
* Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
* *Please note** : Any wording submitted over the specified word count will not
be assessed. Applicants should take care to ensure theyre within the allocated word limit when submitting their application. **Interviews** If invited to interview Behaviour 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
* *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 andor 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 IPOs 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 crim