Commercial Category and Contract Lead

On behalf of the CPS, we are looking for a Commercial Category and Contract Lead - Inside IR35 for a contract until 31st March 2027 (possible extension) working on a Hybrid basis (1/2 days per week in any CPS office and remaining WFH)

The CPS prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The CPS is independent , and they make their decisions independently of the police and government.

Their duty is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.

The CPS are passionate about ensuring that they are a top-performing organisation and a great place to work. They are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work, and individuality is truly appreciated. Find Your Purpose - Join the CPS and have a future that matters.

Role purpose:

The Commercial Category and Contract Lead is responsible for leading high-quality commercial, category management , procurement and contract management activity across a diverse portfolio of goods and services. This may include Digital and IT services, HR and Learning and Development services, and services supporting CPS operational and court-related activity.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Commercial Category and Contract Lead would be to:

- Lead end-to-end commercial, category management , procurement and contract management activity across an assigned portfolio of goods and services.
- Develop and deliver category, sourcing, procurement, contracting and supplier relationship management strategies aligned with organisational priorities.
- Personally manage , or provide oversight of, complex , high-value, high-risk and strategically important procurements and contracts.
- Lead activity throughout the full commercial lifecycle, including early market engagement, category planning, sourcing, contract award, mobilisation, performance management , renewal and exit.
- Ensure commercial and contractual arrangements deliver value for money, savings, service quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Manage supplier performance and commercial relationships, including contractual change, risk, issue resolution and performance improvement.
- Work collaboratively with business stakeholders, suppliers and commercial colleagues to ensure operational experience, supplier performance data and market intelligence inform future commercial strategies.

Essential:

- Demonstrable experience of leading complex commercial, category management , procurement or contract management activity across the full contract lifecycle.
- Strong experience of developing and implementing effective category, sourcing, procurement, contracting or supplier management strategies.
- Proven ability to manage , or oversee, high-value, high-risk, complex or strategically important procurements and contracts.
- Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to deliver value for money, measurable savings, service quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Experience of managing supplier relationships and contract performance, including change, risk, underperformance, renewal and exit arrangements.
- Ability to interpret and apply relevant procurement regulations, organisational policies, governance requirements and commercial best practice.
- Excellent stakeholder management , communication and influencing skills, with the ability to use operational insight, performance information and market intelligence to inform commercial decisions .
- What I changed: I consolidated overlapping wording, used clear action-led language for the responsibilities, and converted the role requirements into evidence-based essential criteria that can be assessed consistently during application review and interview.

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

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, CPS encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, CPS welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the 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".