Procurement Business Partner

We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales.

We have an opportunity for a Procurement Business Partner to join our Procurement Team within Corporate Enablers Directorate.

The water sector is entering a new chapter. The government has set out a bold new direction, bringing together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. We are collaborating with fellow regulators to respond to recommendations in The Independent Water Commission Report, the Welsh Governments response to the Green Paper, Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, and the Governments White Paper, A new vision for water.

Ofwat is working with the government and other regulators to help create a new body for England, bringing together our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency and Natural England. We are also continuing to work with the Welsh Government to support decisions on the future arrangements for Wales.

While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If youre passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.

You can find out more about why you should join Ofwat, our strategy, values and our framework for success in the attached Information for Candidates Pack.

The Corporate Enablers Directorate brings together our Finance, Procurement, People Hub, Security, IT & Digital and Facilities Management teams to form the critical enabling function of the organisation. Collectively, we provide the insight, expertise, and operational support that enable the organisation to deliver its priorities. Whether its ensuring financial sustainability, enabling secure and modern technology, maintaining safe and well‑equipped workspaces, or supporting our people and procurement processes, each function plays a vital role in making Ofwat a high performing great place to be.

The Procurement team currently consists of a Head of Procurement, a Strategic Procurement Partner and two Procurement Business Partners.

We enable Ofwat through targeted business partnering, offering exceptional customer service by maintaining very close ties to the directorates that we partner with. We are highly visible within the organisation, offering pragmatic, sensible commercial advice.

Key deliverables:

In this role you will be expected to:

• Delivering professional customer focused procurement advice, guidance and practical support to anyone procuring on behalf of Ofwat, ensuring this is in line with the Ofwat Procurement processes, Central Government and current procurement legislation (The Procurement Act 2023).
• Acting as a procurement partner to a number of directorates; being the first point-of-contact for all procurement and contract management related questions, suggestions and requirements from stakeholders within these directorates.
• Delivering at pace within a fast-moving and constantly developing environment without forgoing accuracy and excellent customer service.
• Translating technical commercial complexity into language and action that stakeholders can understand.
• Contributing to the development and use of documented policies and procedures for procurement and ensure their application by colleagues and stakeholders.
• Support and coach stakeholders to undertake low-risk procurement activities, providing practical advice, guidance and training as required.
• To ensure that value for money is given the highest priority and that Ofwat is fair and transparency in all commercial activity.
• Ensure procurement and contract management activities comply with legislation, governance requirements and Ofwat policies, maintaining accurate records to support audit and performance reporting.
• Acting as a strong ambassador and role model of Ofwats SAILOR values. playing a leadership role in commercial management and upskilling stakeholders across the organisation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing excellent customer service and constructive challenge to support effective commercial management.
• Maintain effective systems for monitoring and reporting procurement and contract management activity, ensuring accurate records are kept, performance information is captured, and reporting supports audit requirements, compliance monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Encourage and assist stakeholders with the delivery and completion of low risk contracts and tenders. This will be achieved by explaining procedures, coaching, training, high level process reviews and constant refinements.
• Responsible for the efficient and effective use of commercial resources, demonstrating sound procurement management and planning to ensure cost effectiveness and value for money in the delivery of all services.

To be successful in this role you will need the below essential attributes, experience, skills and knowledge:

Experience, skills and knowledge

1. Lead Criterion: Experience of Public Sector Procurement at an operational level preferably in a Business Partner capacity
2. CIPS qualification (any level) or working towards
3. A working knowledge and understanding of government frameworks and under-threshold procurement
4. A clear understanding of procurement and contract legislation and, specifically, where they pertain to a public sector environment
5. Ability to plan ahead and prioritise work effectively
6. Managing relationships with internal stakeholders
7. Ability to manipulate and analyse complex information and present key conclusions to a non-technical audience

Attributes

8. Delivers Outcomes

9. Makes Relationships Count

10. Creates Clarity

Attributes as per Ofwat's Framework for Success for the relevant salary grade. You can read more about Attributes here.