## 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 IPOs 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 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 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** 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 £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 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 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:
* Analyse and interpret trends across MI reports
* Build and maintain strong relationships while effectively communicating and influencing stakeholders.
* Excellently self-manage workloads and work independently.
* Work efficiently in complex, fast-paced environments
* 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 theyre 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 exte