Commercial Specialist

This Commercial Specialist (Grade 13) role sits within the Commissioning Support Unit and provides a rigorous commercial approach across designated procurement categories, working closely with Senior Commercial colleagues, commissioners and contract managers. The post develops and delivers category strategies, leads high-value sourcing activity through the full procurement lifecycle, and supports effective supplier relationship management to secure value for money and strong service outcomes. It also provides commercial insight and challenge to commissioning plans, ensures compliance with procurement regulations and internal procedure rules, and maintains robust procurement/contract records while collaborating with partners such as ESPO and other public sector bodies. The Category for this role is mainly Operational Property and Facilities Management.

• Hold a degree or equivalent professional qualification (MCIPS) or other relevant commercial/professional qualification and have evidence of continuing professional development.
• Have extensive experience of procurement at an influential level in a large, complex organisation and have extensive sourcing and/or contract management experience relevant to category/s. This will include experience of developing and implementing a category management approach and having knowledge of the the supply market, specifications, cost drivers and the relevant regulatory environments.
• Have a proven track record of leading high-value, complex sourcing activity through the full procurement lifecycle, including market engagement and supplier management and successfully engaging with a range of stakeholders partner bodies, building effective working relationships and promoting organisational reputation and interests.
• Have knowledge and understanding of fundamental contract law and the relevant procurement legislation and key national policy drivers (including EU Procurement Directives, Public Contract Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023).
• Experience of managing and delivering successfully a number of projects simultaneously and delivering to deadlines whilst being innovative and creative, with ability to think through complex issues/problems to reach successful conclusions.
• Be able to communicate clearly at all levels (verbally and in writing) and negotiate effectively to achieve desired outcomes with evidence of the successful management of strategic commercial relationships to ensure positive provider performance, to improve value for money and achieve service outcomes.
• Experience of implementing organisational change and effective working with staff and other stakeholders within a customer focused environment.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer., Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

If you share our passion to make a difference for the people of Leicestershire, we'd love to hear from you. Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the 'About You' section above. Without this information, we won't be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected. For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site.