AMS PSR

On behalf of , we are looking for a Commercial Practitioner Inside IR35 for a contract until 31st March 2026 based Hybrid working (3 days per week in Manchester, Coventry or Sheffield)

As a Commercial Practitioner, you will be delivering the best possible commercial outcomes for children, young people, and the education system. The post holder will be responsible for all aspects of the procurement process from market engagement and sourcing through to contract management. With market leading guidance and development opportunities, you will have real opportunities to develop and influence DFE commercial projects, some which are valued at hundreds of millions of pounds. This is a great time to join us to help shape our future success.

The DfE commercial function saved £195 million of taxpayers’ money in the last financial year and have worked on a number of high priority procurement such as HGV Bootcamps, Free School Meals, Get Help Buying for Schools and National Institute of Teachers and allow the DfE to access digital delivery specialists across the whole Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) sector, Education Estates Construction frameworks.

If you are experienced in using your procurement skills to deliver value for money and passionate about making a difference for children, young people, and learners we want to hear from you.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Commercial Practitioner would be:

• Key elements of the end-to-end commercial lifecycle, which could include pre-market engagement, sourcing and contract award.
• Managing a range of commercial projects individually and as part of a commercial project team.
• Proactively leading, supporting and challenging stakeholders throughout the commercial life cycle.
• Maintaining a category pipeline to allow commercial support to start in good time to ensure a full range of commercial options can be considered.
• Understanding the supply market, category, and business context to inform and deliver the commercial strategy.
• Championing commercial capability throughout the Department and across wider stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of category management.
• Contributing to the development of the category savings plan and ensuring savings are realised and tracked.
• Using an e-procurement system to effectively manage and track procurement and end-to-end category management activity.
• Complying fully with public procurement law, DFE commercial procedure, policy, and assurance processes.

Essential:

• Experience in a procurement, commercial or buying role.
• Evidence of leading and securing value for money
• Experience of analysing complex information to make informed decisions
• Evidence of influencing key stakeholders towards commercial solutions
• Evidence of managing projects to deliver successful outcomes and cost effectiveness
• Evidence of working flexibly across teams and working with a wide range of stakeholders to support competing priorities and demonstrating adaptability
• Ability to support change and meet fast paced demand.

Desirable:

• Experience of carrying out procurements using a wide range of different routes to market
• Experience of managing procurement across the entire commercial lifecycle, including contract and supplier management.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DfE guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.

Armed Forces Commitment

DfE guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".