Senior Commercial Officer - Air Commercial

The Air Commercial Team is a Front-Line Commercial Branch, a part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Commercial Function and the Government Commercial Function (GCF). We are embedded within the Royal Air Force (RAF) operating out of Headquarters Air Command (based at RAF High Wycombe) with regional representation primarily situated at RAF Cosford, RAF Leeming and MOD Lyneham. A fast-tempo, strategic and progressive Military Headquarters, the Air Commercial Team deliver innovative commercial solutions and maximum value for the RAF.

This is a hugely exciting time to be joining Air Commercial and its Senior Management Team. Through our continued transformation and investment in people, processes, and relationships, we are seeing increasing demand for our support across the whole of the commercial lifecycle at both an operational and strategic level to deliver technologically pioneering capability and support services for the RAF.

The Air Commercial Team handles a contract portfolio of circa 300 live contracts totalling 3.6bn on behalf of the RAF by contracting across a diverse portfolio of requirements from Space Command to digital demand, helping aircraft take off and safely land, from trialling war-fighting capabilities to training our new recruits.

You will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience, this is a highly responsive area with opportunities to develop and grow within a supportive environment. We are looking for individuals with a keen interest in working to support the delivery of projects needed to support our Armed Forces and to develop their own skills as a Commercial practitioner.

Air Commercial has a wide stakeholder base, with regular interaction to ensure commercial strategies deliver the capabilities required by the Command and we frequently collaborate with other forces in the MOD, Cabinet Office and other government departments.

The Commercial function works alongside project managers, finance & technical staff and our military colleagues to purchase the equipment and services that the MOD requires ensuring that all is fit for purpose and achieves the best possible Value for Money.

The post holder will provide a prompt and efficient commercial service in accordance with departmental policy and best practice, whilst delivering best value for money.

The Air Command Commercial Team provides the ideal platform to develop an understanding of the procurement and commercial processes within the MOD and includes areas such as sourcing, contract management, supplier management and category management all to meet the customers needs.

Main responsibilities

• Investigation and research of new procurement requirements, determining routes to market, carrying out early market engagement and producing commercial strategies.

• Responsible for the effective leadership and management of a dedicated team of Commercial Officers.

• Participate in procurement activities from advertising new requirements, Pre-Qualifying Questionnaires, drafting and issuing Invitation to Tender documentation and evaluation of bids through to contract award.

• Keeping abreast of departmental commercial policy and procedural and administration directives, and to apply that information accordingly.

• Ensure contracts continue to provide value for money throughout their duration and that the contractors fully meet their contractual obligations.

• Lead in tender exercises and evaluation of bids, including carrying out procurement from Advert, Pre-Qualifying Questionnaires, tender exercises and evaluation of bids through to Contract Award working closely with the requirement owner/customer.

• Lead contract reviews / governance meetings at defined periods in accordance with the Contract Management Plan.

• Provide letters, briefs, reports and statistics for project and senior management as required.

• Production and maintenance of contract documentation, management of records, performance metrics and KPI monitoring and support to the team.

• Build and maintain, appropriate effective working relationships within the Delivery Team, and with internal and external stakeholders including Military and non-Military customers and Defence Suppliers.

• Support line management in identification of commercial risks associated with delivery of contracts and issues that arise during the life of contracts

• Provide and maintain quality and relevant Management Information (MI), contracts pipeline, recording of benefits and savings utilising systems such as the MOD's e-procurement tool CP&F.

• Administer internal Management Informations Systems and ensure records and data are up to date and correct and that policy is adopted and applied accordingly.
• Maintain and improve levels of competence by implementing a personnel development plan, reflecting the necessary training requirements associated with the post

We are passionate about delivering great things for our customers. But we also know you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities, and our industry leading flexible working practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life.

We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other. At Air Commercial you will work within a highly capable team who will support you to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.

Previous experience in commercial is essential, training and development will be provided to the successful candidate.

Key Skills and Experience

Essential

• CIPS level 4 or above, or willing to study CIPS Level 4 within 6 months of starting the role
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in establishing and maintaining stakeholder relationships
• Experience in procurement contracting and delivery
• Public sector procurement experience
• Willing to undertake travel to relevant MOD Locations as required to meet business needs.
• Line management experience.
• Problem solving and balancing multiple requirements will be of benefit in the role as will the ability to plan and prioritise.