Commercial and Procurement Lead (two posts)

About us

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is one of the best fire and rescue services in the UK – but don’t take our word for it. Our recent His Majesty's Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) highlighted our positive culture, our dedication to developing our people and the things we do to promote inclusion across the service.

The Service is dedicated to delivering an outstanding service to the communities we are proud to serve. We are currently looking for two Commercial and Procurement Leads to join our welcoming, forward-thinking fire and rescue service.

The Role

Working within our Commercial and Procurement Team, this service critical role will see you provide effective and efficient procurement of goods and services within the Property and Estates, ICT, Professional Services and Vehicle categories on behalf of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority (CPFA) as well as supporting regional, national and inter agency collaborations.

• You’ll support an efficient and flexible procurement service which will achieve optimum value for money, cost savings and quality of service whilst delivering in accordance with the latest Procurement Regulations, Authority Policies and Best Practice.
• Engaging with departments and key stakeholders, you’ll support improvements to ways of working to enhance engagement with the procurement function across the organisation, whilst ensuring that budget holders comply with regulations, best practice, support organisational and national objectives.
• As a category lead, you’ll ensure a consistent service is provided, working methodically to ensure a good commercial relationship is established between budget holders to ensure a smooth and effective procurement process.  To provide to stakeholders an understanding of the relevant market conditions, procurement options available as well as advise on potential supply chain risk and vulnerability.
• You’ll deliver compliant procurement activities, ranging from Low Value to Finder Tender Service (replacement for OJEU) and National Frameworks for new and existing requirements, managing all aspects of the procurement lifecycle to ensure best practice, responsible and ethical delivery and management of contracts, whilst ensuring all documentation is current and valid for transparency and auditing purposes.
• You’ll support and promote appropriate procurement strategies addressing the needs of the Authority and category requirements. To work with key stakeholders to identify potential savings opportunities to deliver value for money by the consolidation of disaggregate spend within the category lead’s category. 
• Identify potential for commercial and reputational risks within the category and report accordingly.
• Ensure end users requirements deliver cost effectiveness for the Authority taking account of whole life costs and Corporate Social Responsibility/ Sustainability, social value and identifying potential risks with Modern Slavery, whilst always demonstrating effective use of public funds.
• You’ll undertake analysis of relevant financial data, review the contract register to identify, forecast, improve and implement changes to contracts and future purchases which enable savings opportunities and potential cost reduction.
• Work with other Public Sector bodies and partner organisations to identify collaboration opportunities within the categories.  Engagement with National Fire Chiefs Council Procurement Hub, supporting the National Agenda for all procurement projects that offer benefits to both the Authority and wider Blue Light Organisations.
• You’ll deliver awareness sessions and guidance to all colleagues in line with procurement regulations and internal procurement guidance, to increase the commercial awareness across the Authority.

About you

Everyone is welcome at CFRS and we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and professional support team. The experience required in this role includes:

• You’ll hold a professional qualification and/or be a Member of or working towards MCIPS
• You’ll bring with you demonstrable experience in the examining, advising and negotiating on contracts.
• With In-depth experience of running and managing complex procurement processes.
• In-depth experience of an e-tendering portal such as Contracts Finder, Finder Tender, Delta e-sourcing, Blue light etc to provide an auditable tendering mechanism.
• You’ll have a good knowledge of the European, UK and Public Procurement Regulations, principles of GPA and WTO Parameters. New Procurement Regulations due to come into effect.
• We’ll look to you to have commercial awareness within a Public Sector Environment and the Emergency Services
• Proficient in Microsoft based packages, including Sharepoint, word and excel to manipulate and interpret numerical data, along with familiarity of Teams.
• Your clear and concise ability to communication with others will allow you to thrive in the role.

Working for us

You don't have to wear a firefighter's uniform and run into burning buildings to play an important role in the Service. A role in our support functions offers the chance to build a challenging, rewarding career and the opportunity to give something back to the community. We’re a modern and progressive place to work and promote the right values and welcoming culture by:

• Ensure transparency and fairness in everything we do.
• We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
• We provide health and wellbeing support for everyone in the service.

We have inclusion ambassadors and established working groups for protected characteristics and menopause.

What we offer

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Health Cash Plan
• A competitive pension scheme
• Access to Blue Light Discount at hundreds of stores and events
• Access to Health Shield Perks discounts
• Family friendly policies – including flexible working
• Great learning and development opportunities
• 28 days annual leave each year plus bank holidays, increasing with long service
• Parking (site specific)
• Flexible, agile, hybrid working.

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity please read the Recruitment Pack and complete an EDI Form and send your CV and covering Letter (detailing your suitability for the role and ideally examples of previous campaigns/work) to recruitment@cambsfire.gov.uk

*Please note any CVs submitted without a Covering Letter will not be considered.

If this role isn’t for you, but you know someone who might be interested – please share details with them.

We have the right to close this advert at any time.