7Force Strategic Commercial Solutions Manager

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced commercial professional to join our Strategic Commercial Solutions Management team, supporting the 7 police forces across the east of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk). This collaboration is responsible for third party spend of approximately £250m per annum, making the 7 Force Collaboration the second largest police procurement collective after the Metropolitan Police. Commercial influence on this scale has the potential to attract significant financial benefits through market shaping and economies of scale. This also enables the 7 Forces to seek to manage suppliers more strategically on a regional basis to secure savings and wider social, economic, and environmental benefits.

You will help resolve some of the most difficult commercial hurdles in law enforcement, helping forces to benefit from more efficient and innovative offerings from the market as well as stimulating markets in areas where competition is lacking. You will also be expected to lead and/or support complex commercial negotiations with key suppliers, promoting innovation and ensuring best value is achieved, as well as addressing and enforcing sanctions for poor performance, and assisting in defending the relevant Force(s) from contractual claims.

We are looking for someone with a strong commercial acumen, a track record of supplier relationship management and proven success in negotiations and resolving contractual disputes. The nature of the role means that you will need strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate. You will need to demonstrate that you can engage a range of key internal stakeholders at varying levels of seniority.

You should hold a procurement/commercial qualification at level 6 (degree) or able to clearly evidence your commercial experience, technical knowledge, and expertise by having worked in a senior commercial role resolving complex issues for a private or public sector organisation. You should possess significant knowledge and understanding of current contract law and the application of new procurement legislation.