Job description Position: Associate Commercial Practitioner Band: 3 Salary: £36,867 - £40,965 Location: Liverpool Number of positions: 2 Term: Permanent Hours: Full Time Closing Date: 25/02/ Do you wish to join the largest, most versatile procurement Public organisation in the UK? Do you enjoy maintaining ‘key’ customer relationships in the energy sector? Job Summary The successful candidate will be assigned to support a Commercial Manager to act as the primary point of contact for the CCS energy team. The job holder will be responsible for retention of customers, query management and resolution, customer reporting and administration of the customer’s meter portfolio supported by colleagues specialising in supplier management. Directorate Overview Commercial is the largest directorate in CCS. We are responsible for the design, development, implementation and management of our commercial agreements, which are used by our customers across the public sector. Our customers rely on the deep category expertise of our specialist teams to design commercial agreements which allow them to access markets at pace while managing supply chain and regulatory risk. Our services also advise them on the best way to achieve value in complex markets. We have helped our customers: spend more than £34 billion through the agreements we create enjoy more than £3.5 billion in commercial benefits annually through our agreements We use our deep knowledge and expertise of public sector suppliers, to create market and category strategies. These strategies are used within CCS to create market leading commercial agreements that help shape how common goods and services are bought across the public sector. Our skills are also used in carrying out commercial policy, development of new products and services and supplier relationship management. Team Summary The successful candidate will be joining the CCS Energy Specialist Service Team (ESST) responsible for more than 1,300 Public sector customer relationships via the CCS ‘Supply of Energy 2’ Framework. The team was established in 2018 to manage CCS Energy customer growth and retention. The team of 7 energy specialists has delivered 45% growth in customer numbers and spend values whilst maximising customer retention to more than 99% for each for the last three years. This is a dynamic, fast paced customer service area with a high-profile track record of success. Key Accountabilities: Supporting the Commercial Lead and Commercial Managers in the delivery of specific customer engagement and retention strategies Personal responsibility for the handling of queries and customer meetings within set SLA’s Engaging with potential new customers in order to provide appropriate guidance, advice and support in order to convert the opportunity Building personal knowledge of CCS Energy in order to support existing and potential new customers and internal stakeholders through the provision of in-depth guidance, advice and knowledge transfer The maintenance of collaborative relationships with the CCS Customer Account Management, Customer Service Centre, Strategic Category and wider energy team Essential criteria (To be assessed at application stage): Demonstrate ability to build positive relationships with suppliers and customers. Confident to act as a point of escalation in the resolution of customer enquiries within agreed SLAs. Be able to demonstrate the ability to work at pace, proactively and collaboratively, in partnership with key stakeholders Be able to act as an intelligent client in dealings with customers and sufficient to engage in meaningful, challenging conversations with stakeholders. Experience of working within customer service within the specific category area with a track record of delivering excellent customer satisfaction and value for money Success profiles (To be assessed at interview stage): Behaviours Changing and Improving Delivering at Pace Managing a Quality Service Seeing the Bigger Picture Technical Customer account management (A link to the Civil Service Success Profiles Framework is provided below) Success Profiles Framework What we will offer you, here are some of the benefits you can expect: Competitive salary Generous pension scheme A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location Flexi time scheme (available for B1-B6) Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays Explore fully how we will reward your work. Want to make a difference? Find out more about the rewarding work that we do in our candidate pack. 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 and the Civil ServiceD&I Strategy. We want to make our recruitment process accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you, please contact recruitmentcrowncommercial.gov.uk Working flexibly, delivering outcomes CCS is a flexible business with a smarter working model where our colleagues benefit from a mix of home and office working. Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed. Our current office attendance approach requires a minimum of 26 days per quarter (approx 2 days per week, which may be subject to change) in CCS office locations or off site meetings with suppliers, customers, partners, networking / industry events. This is pro rata for those who work part time. Our smarter working principles mean that our people have the advantage of both office and offsite based collaboration and learning, as well as working from home. This way of working allows us to honour our commitment to being a responsible business, offer flexibility and better work life balance as well as ensuring we deliver our business with confidence and in accordance with our CCS values. Our Commercial department is transforming to become an even more flexible. Whilst this role will be initially deployed to Energy, candidates should be aware that there will be opportunities to flex into other category areas as required, either to meet business needs an/or for staff development. Selection Process Candidates who are successful at sift will be contacted as soon as possible following the closing date and advised of the interview process in more detail. The sift is due to commence WC 24th February and interviews dates will be held WC 10th March. Interview times are to be confirmed. (Subject to change) To find out more about our recruitment process please click here Please note: Applicants can make use of artificial intelligence but the information presented at application must be factual. A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview. Should you be placed on a reserve list and want to be removed please contact recruitmentcrowncommercial.gov.uk. Complaints procedure Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitmentcrowncommercial.gov.uk in the first instance. If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at infocsc.gov.uk Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Complaints Procedure Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-principles/ If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitmentcrowncommercial.gov.uk in the first instance. If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at infocsc.gov.uk Internal candidates should apply using their Workday account. Please use the careers hub for your application.