Senior Sourcing Specialist

Commercial Directorate

Commercial Directorate sits within the Chief Finance Officer’s Group in HMRC and is accountable for all commercial arrangements covering the organisation’s c£2.5 billion annual external spend. We are also part of the Government Commercial Function (GCF), which is essential in delivering high quality and value for money public services for UK taxpayers. We provide a comprehensive commercial service that includes providing market insight to support strategy development, helping shape business needs and engaging suppliers throughout the commercial lifecycle to deliver cost-effective business outcomes. We also manage commercial risk across HMRC and place emphasis on customer service to ensure all stakeholders are dealt with in a professional, courteous and efficient manner.

These roles sit within the IT Pre-Award Applications Team, responsible for c.£720m of HMRC’s total annual spend with external suppliers. We are a high performing (finalist for two CIPS Excellence in Procurement & Supply Awards 2024) and supportive team, responsible for devising commercial strategies and delivering procurements for IT software and services, working alongside HMRC’s Chief Digital and Information Officers’ Group (CDIO). CDIO leads the Department’s IT and security function and is responsible for all the technology powering one of the biggest digitally enabled transformations anywhere in Europe. Our team is a key enabler to this.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop your commercial skills in a supportive team and deliver high value, high standard, complex projects. Over the last 12 months we have delivered procurements totalling over £2.5bn through a range of different sized projects. The teams we support are responsible for HMRC’s tax collection processes, customer relationship management and contact centres, and digital applications including Self-Assessment. The pipeline for future activity is over £4bn and you could be a part of this delivery.

Job Description

The Applications team is spread across 4 locations and travel each month to get together in one of our offices (rotating locations) to share updates and collaborate. Our team are passionate about supporting our customers, improving our contractual agreements, and engaging with the supplier market to deliver high quality outcomes for taxpayers.

Please note, HMRC has a 60% office attendance requirement, exceptions may be made based on individual circumstances.

We are looking for procurement professionals capable of working in a fast-paced and complex environment. You will be responsible for delivering end-to-end procurements for IT services and software. You will:

1. Work closely with your business stakeholders in designing fit for purpose and market-facing specifications and award criteria.
2. Develop contractual documentation to support CDIO’s requirements, including performance management regimes.
3. Use HMRC’s e-sourcing tool to build and run sourcing events.
4. Manage the procurement process, including the evaluation and moderation of bids.
5. Work closely with the supplier market at various stages in the procurement lifecycle, including market engagement and contract signature.
6. Apply knowledge and expertise of relevant commercial approaches and routes to market.
7. Likely line management of a small team of c.1 to 2 people.

Person Specification

1. Experience of delivering the end-to-end procurement process, including developing tender packs and reviewing specifications.
2. Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders in a procurement environment.
3. Project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects.
4. The ability to provide clear and concise procurement advice.
5. High-level analytical and problem-solving skills, and strong written and verbal communication skills.
6. A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.
7. Experience of using e-sourcing tools.

Essential Criteria:

1. Experience in a procurement, commercial or buying role.
2. Strong knowledge of writing contractual requirements and assessing specifications, and supporting stakeholders throughout these processes.
3. A record of successfully delivering procurements on time and in line with business requirements.
4. Experience in preparing, reviewing, and agreeing contract terms and conditions and commercial schedules.
5. Proven experience in working with the supplier market, for example, to deliver market engagement or negotiation.
6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including suppliers, internal teams, and senior management.
7. Ability to influence and build relationships, both internally and externally.
8. Evidence of working flexibly across teams and working with a wide range of stakeholders to support competing priorities and demonstrating adaptability.
9. MCIPS/equivalent qualification, or significant relevant experience.

Desirable Criteria:

1. Procurement experience in a public sector environment or regulated industry. For example, working under the Procurement Regulations 2015.
2. Understanding of IT software and services.

Candidate Profiles

To support your decision to apply for this role, we have developed some candidate profiles. Candidate profiles for this role may include, but are not limited to:

“I work in procurement for a local council and am looking to apply my skills to more complex and higher value requirements.”

“I work in procurement and I’m confident in my ability to source contracts, but I am ready for a new challenge in a different team.”

“I work in the private sector but I’m looking to join the civil service. I have experience buying goods and services and working within a regulated environment.”

Qualifications

MCIPS/equivalent qualification, or significant relevant experience.