Procurement Lead

MI5, MI6 and GCHQ (our UK Intelligence Agencies) are working collaboratively to develop our unique procurement team, procuring goods and services to protect threats to national security.

The Role

We are looking for Procurement Leads who will relish the opportunity to have accountability for leading challenging procurement projects in a major category area, such as frontline operations, IT, HR and Estates.

As a Procurement Lead, you will work closely with and support the Senior Procurement Lead and have responsibility for managing an existing portfolio of contract and framework agreements; ensuring the timely delivery of procurement projects in-line with customer requirements.

You will ensure to apply best practice procurement principles when working closely with our customers in highly sensitive operational areas and support them through the delivery of goods and services. There is also a requirement for the Procurement Lead to resolve contractual issues in collaboration with experts when necessary.

Regular UK travel is required for this role.

Key Responsibilities

•    Deliver a highly professional and valued service, taking responsibility for the whole life cycle of a range of complex and demanding procurement projects
•    Provide a responsive, timely, efficient, sustainable and professional procurement and supply chain service that aligns with customer requirements
•    Manage a category team to deliver against a large portfolio of agreements and to support new procurement activity within its field
•    Analyse commercial risk and identify trade-offs in a commercial area of work
•    Support the Senior Procurement Lead in developing collaborative teams working across our agencies

The Person

You will have practical experience for the delivery of complex procurement projects in line with best practice procurement processes, methodologies and practices. Experience in category management approaches, that have delivered cash releasing savings and sustainable total cost reductions, is essential.

A strong customer focus, commercial acumen, a pro-active approach and evidence of effectively stimulating and embedding change within a team, is crucial.

You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills in building rapport and enhancing working relationships with customers, suppliers and sponsors at both operational and senior levels.

Experience of being a role model in supporting and energising teams to encourage confidence in their ability to deliver outcomes, through coaching, mentoring & sharing expertise/knowledge, is essential.

You will be willing to work towards a degree level qualification, MCIP or business equivalent. Support can be provided to attain a relevant qualification.

Recruitment Process

The first thing we will ask you to do is complete our pre-screening questions to find out if you meet our initial criteria. If you do meet these criteria we will then ask you to begin an application.

You will need to create a log in and provide your full name, email address and a memorable password. Once you have successfully created a personal account, you will be required to complete an initial registration form, providing contact details and equal opportunities monitoring information.

You will then be invited to provide your CV and complete an online application form. Our recruitment team will conduct a sift of your application and successful applicants may be invited to a telephone interview. All successful applicants will be invited to attend a competency based face to face interview to further explore your skills and motivation for the role. If you are successful at this stage, you will be required to attend a security interview with a vetting officer. You should read about the vetting process and satisfy yourself that you meet the criteria outlined in the vetting pages of the How to Apply section prior to submitting your application.

Giving misleading information or omitting or concealing information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously. You should ensure that you follow our guidance from when you apply.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to the “Disability Confident” scheme we offer an interview to all candidates with a disability who meet our minimum criteria for the job vacancy that they are applying for. This is known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS).

Along with the standard eligibility requirements for this post, your application will be assessed on how far you meet the job requirements. Your application must score the minimum amount of points set. On successful completion of this stage, you will be invited to interview. This will normally be a telephone interview and is our guaranteed interview.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must meet our residency criteria. You must be a born or naturalised British citizen and one of your parents must be a British citizen or have substantial ties to the UK.

Our UK Intelligence Agencies are committed to reflecting both equal opportunities and the society we protect and particularly welcome applications from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates.

Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for nine out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. However, we will still consider you if you’ve served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of Her Majesty’s Government, studied abroad, or lived overseas with your parents.

Due to vetting requirements, you will need to be 18 years old, or above, to apply. Your application may take around six months to process.

Discretion

Owing to the sensitivity of our work, we do not publicly disclose the identities of our staff. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.

To apply for this role please click here.