Army Commercial Procurement Officer

An SEO Procurement Officer will be responsible for the procurement of requirements as allocated to them, ensuring the requirements are actively managed from definition to contract award. This includes defining the requirement and route to market, ensuring all approvals are in place, advertising, evaluating, and awarding the contract. This process is in collaboration with the Army customer and building and maintaining good working relationships with the customer team, the supplier, and other key stakeholders and ensuring the contract is managed once live or effectively handed over to the contract management team.

You will build and maintain your effectiveness by ensuring that they keep up to date with procurement, broader commercial and HR policy developments that affect you or the team. You will ensure they keep up to date with the tools and systems used to support procurements and payments including the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and the Contract, Purchasing and Finance (CP&F) tool.

These roles offer an exciting and challenging opportunity to develop or enhance a professional career in the commercial function within the context of the Army and the MOD.

We are seeking self motivated individuals to join this fast paced and constantly evolving professional environment and form the core of the Armys commercial professionals. This is a fascinating, challenging role in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Commercial Function, with a direct impact on procuring and purchasing the key items to enable the British military to conduct its various operational functions.

You will initially assume commercial responsibility for the complex procurement to deliver the Services related to the Army Foundation College Harrogate following the expiration of the existing PFI Contract.

The key areas of responsibility include:

• Procure and Manage
  • Lead and coordinate the procurement process for complex projects, ensuring effective planning, execution, and delivery within agreed scope, timeframes, and budget constraints.
  • Build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with multidisciplinary teams, including colleagues at all levels, senior leadership, and external partners, to support seamless procurement delivery.
  • Manage and develop key customer and stakeholder relationships, proactively identifying opportunities to improve or strategically develop these relationships to meet project objectives.
  • Provide Commercial expertise to support the Project Team in achieving necessary Approvals
  • Operate effectively in a demanding, high-pressure environment, delivering procurement activities at pace while balancing and managing diverse and sometimes competing stakeholder expectations.
  • Apply extensive knowledge of commercial regulations and procurement frameworks to address and resolve complex commercial challenges, ensuring risk is appropriately managed and optimal outcomes are achieved.
  • Support the transfer of commercial and technical knowledge by mentoring and developing both commercial and non-commercial team members, enhancing overall team capability and project delivery.
  • Prepare, draft, and manage contract documentation within delegated authority, including tender documentation, evaluation, and award processes, ensuring compliance with MOD policies and procedures.
  • Chair or support Tender Evaluation Boards and lead negotiations with suppliers within delegated limits to secure value for money and contract terms aligned with project requirements.
  • Utilise MOD procurement systems to manage procurement activities efficiently and ensure compliance with Government Transparency policies.
  • Provide timely, practical commercial advice and solutions to emerging issues and risks, contributing to problem solving and crisis management alongside senior commercial managers and Army customers.
• Management
  • Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that supports wellbeing, engagement, and high morale among Commercial staff.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews and one-to-one meetings to provide constructive feedback, set clear objectives, and identify individual development needs.
  • Identify and facilitate appropriate training and professional development opportunities to build team capability and support career progression.
  • Manage resource allocation within the team to ensure workload is balanced and priorities are met effectively.
  • Lead by example in upholding ethical standards and compliance with MOD policies, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.
  • Encourage innovation and continuous improvement by supporting staff to identify and implement process enhancements and best practices.
  • Act as a point of escalation for commercial issues within the team, providing guidance and support to resolve challenges promptly.
  • Support succession planning by identifying and nurturing potential future leaders within the Commercial team.

• Proven experience leading and managing the procurement of complex projects, including planning, execution, and delivery within defined scope, time, and budget constraints.
• Strong ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, senior leadership, customers, and external partners to support procurement and project objectives.
• Ability to operate effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, managing competing stakeholder expectations and delivering procurement activities at pace.
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Level 4.
• Already hold or be willing to obtain a MOD Practitioner Commercial Licence within 6 months in post

• Evidence of providing commercial expertise, including supporting project teams to achieve necessary approvals and providing sound commercial advice throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Experience of leading and managing a Team