Corporate Contracts Manager (Band 4/HEO)

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a Contracts Manager to join our wider Divisional Support Team in the Science Solutions and Business Management Unit. The team is based in HSE’s Science Engineering and Analysis Division in Buxton, Derbyshire - a world leading provider of health and safety solutions to industry and government. This role can be based in any of the listed HSE offices, but there is an expectation that you will attend the Buxton laboratory on a regular basis.

Our work spans across a wide and varied range of sectors including fire, explosion, process safety and engineering; occupational and environmental health; risk assessment; work environment; and specialist photographic and analytical services. We undertake cutting edge research, analysis and testing in support of HSEs policy, regulation and inspection functions, as well as providing consultancy and training services to other organisations.

The scope of our important work requires a dedicated individual to manage a number of key Corporate Support contracts which underpin the work of the many scientists, engineers and analysts. You will interact with HSEs suppliers on these contracts, manage and track their performance and delivery, financial aspects (ordering, invoices, etc.), collate and provide regular metrics to inform colleagues and leadership updates. You will also work closely with colleagues in HSEs Procurement Unit to renew contracts, scope and draft tenders for new service requirements, and ensure all permissions and approvals are in place.

This is an excellent opportunity to work collaboratively across HSE with both internal and external stakeholders (both government and industry) and to provide essential contract oversight and management to support HSE’s essential scientific activities

Due to the nature of the work, this role is offered on a full-time basis only.

Job description

You will have responsibility for managing and supporting a number of Corporate Support contracts with external suppliers to ensure that HSE is provided with appropriate services and products in support of its science and regulatory activities. These include: Provision of laboratory gases, provision of equipment calibration and maintenance services plus various other corporate support contracts as required.

You will;

• Act as the data steward and report on service provision performance to your line manager and provide monthly metrics reporting through the Management Intelligence team to inform Divisional Leadership.
• Act as the main point of contact for these suppliers, acting as the intelligent customer for HSE, and ensuring that all end users requirements are addressed and their needs are met. Where contracts need to be retendered or new services procured, you will act as the main internal customer and work with Procurement Unit to inform the tender specification, define evaluation and award criteria and then evaluate supplier tender responses.
• Manage contract budgets, tracking and predicting spend profiles and updating finance colleagues on a monthly basis. Also submitting budget forecasts for future year spending based upon existing commitments and any new requirements.
• Raise, validate and receipt purchase orders (PO), using standard templates when services are requested by end users and invoiced by suppliers, and ensuring appropriate approvals are in place before processing through HSE internal systems for payment.

Travel

This post can be based in any of the advertised locations however, the team is based in our HSE Science and Research Centre, Buxton and there is the expectation that you will attend the Buxton office at least 2 days per month.

As this position may be based at two different working locations, the successful candidate will be subject to multiple placed working and will therefore be able to claim their travel expenses for commuting to Buxton.

Additionally, Buxton is also the base for many of the end users of the Corporate Support Contracts that the role will manage and support. Occasional travel to visit supplier sites around the country may be required.

Person specification

Essential skills and Criteria:

We are looking for an experienced Contracts Manager who can be an integral part of the team from the outset. You must be able to demonstrate:

• Experience of contract tendering and management activities
• Experience of overseeing budgets, performance metrics, drafting Statement of Service Requirements, etc
• The ability to interpret data and present this as management information to inform Divisional Leadership and other colleagues of the performance of suppliers against the requirements of the contracts you manage.
• The ability to communicate effectively and confidently negotiate with stakeholders and suppliers, to ensure suppliers deliver to the required levels
• Attention to detail, with the ability to work at pace, both independently and as part of a team
• The ability to interact productively with a diverse range of stakeholders and suppliers, building and maintaining an effective network of internal and external stakeholders to support your work activities.

Hybrid Working

At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.

There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.

Licences

Full Clean Driving Licence

Qualifications

GCSE English and Maths (Grades A-C or equivalent) or equivalent / higher qualifications.

You must either possess, or be willing to work towards a nationally recognised contract management qualification, to at least Foundation level, through the Government Commercial Function within a reasonable timeframe which we consider to be within 18 months of taking up post.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,005, Health and Safety Executive contributes £11,010 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive