Procurement Business Partner – DWP Commercial Directorate (CD)

About the job

• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Blackpool - Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES moving to Fylde View Service and Support Centre, 1 King Street  Blackpool FY1 3EJ no later than April 27.     

• Manchester - 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA
• Sheffield - Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD
• Leeds - Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA
• Birmingham - 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX

Newcastle - Benton Park Road, Longbenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE98 1YX moving to 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027

As the majority of the teams are based in the Blackpool and Manchester locations – DWP will support staff based in other locations, but there will be an expectation that candidates will be willing to travel to Blackpool and/or Manchester fortnightly/monthly for e.g. team meetings or joint working. Normal expense rules will apply for travel to locations that are not your base location.

About the job

Job summary

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deliver services that support millions of people across the UK. Behind these services sits one of the largest Commercial functions in Government, helping ensure public money is spent responsibly and delivers the best possible outcomes for citizens and taxpayers.

We are recruiting Procurement Business Partners across two categories of the Commercial Directorate: Digital and Automated Buying, Business Services & External Resources (ABBSER) .

Where could you work?

Message from the Digital Category Deputy Director Rachel Butlin

“ This is an exciting time to join us and share the opportunity to make a difference.   Digital Services is a fast-paced Category moving with the pace of the external market ensuring alignment with Digital innovation”.

Digital Category supports the procurement and delivery of technology, infrastructure, software, digital services and specialist resources that underpin some of DWP's most important services. From cloud transformation and cyber security to digital platforms, networks and technology solutions, the team helps ensure DWP has the tools and capability required to deliver services to citizens across the UK.

Message from the Automated Buying, Business Services & External Resources Category Team (ABBSER) Category Deputy Director Liz Johnstone     

“We’re eager to welcome and develop commercially minded, self-driven individuals with a passion for delivering innovation in Commercial Automation, Consultancy, Professional & Business Services sectors and we’ve an exciting step change within the category looking to broaden our automated delivery model”.

ABBSER Category supports a diverse portfolio of commercial activity across corporate services, consultancy & professional services and external resourcing. This includes sourcing specialist Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) expertise, agency workers, contractors and consultancy support and corporate services that help DWP deliver strategic priorities, transformation programmes and operational services.

What do we mean by Commercial?

In the public sector, being commercial means understanding business needs, engaging with internal stakeholders, suppliers and markets, managing procurement and contracts, and making informed decisions that balance cost, quality and risk to deliver value for money and positive outcomes.

You will manage a portfolio of activity across the full commercial lifecycle, working closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements, develop solutions and deliver successful outcomes. You'll have the opportunity to influence decisions, build strong relationships and play a key role in supporting services that make a real difference to people's lives.

Job description

Please note, in relation to the working pattern for these roles: Full-time, flexible working and part-time ( minimum of 30 hours over a minimum of 4 days ) working arrangements will be considered. However, where a non-standard full time working pattern is requested, Friday must be included as a working day.

As a Procurement Business Partner, you will manage a portfolio of commercial activity that supports critical DWP services and strategic priorities.

Working with stakeholders across DWP, you will help shape commercial solutions by understanding business requirements, providing commercial advice and leading activity across different stages of the commercial lifecycle that maximise value for money while achieving policy, operational and citizen-focused outcomes. This may include market engagement, sourcing, procurement, supplier negotiations, contract implementation and contract management.

You will be trusted to take ownership of your portfolio, build strong stakeholder relationships and support informed decision-making that delivers value for money and positive outcomes for citizens and taxpayers.

CD believe in supporting staff development and offer relevant training; all staff are expected to use at least five working days per year on development activities, balancing on the job learning with more traditional training courses. (A campaign reserve list could result in offered postings across the breadth of DWP CD categories) .  

Your development and career progression opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to develop your commercial expertise within DWP, we’re one of the largest and most progressive Commercial functions in Government. You'll gain experience across a range of commercial activities, develop valuable stakeholder management and decision-making skills and be supported through ongoing professional development, including opportunities to work towards recognised qualifications such as CIPS and MCIPS.

DWP are part of the Government Commercial Function (GCF) Government Commercial Function - GOV.UK , with an annual spend of £49b. Being part of GCF you’ll benefit from opportunities to broaden your experience across different categories, sectors and departments. Whether your ambition is to develop wider category expertise, explore opportunities elsewhere across government or move into strategic leadership roles you'll be supported to build a varied and rewarding commercial career.

See attached link for GCF overview video Make Public Procurement Your Profession of Choice - YouTube

Person specification

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing a portfolio of commercial projects, procurements and contracts.
• Working with stakeholders to understand requirements and develop effective commercial solutions.
• Leading procurement and sourcing activity, including market engagement and competitive tender exercises.
• Developing recommendations that balance cost, quality, risk and value for money.
• Coordinating and chairing stakeholder meetings to support decision-making and achieve consensus.
• Evaluating supplier proposals and supporting fair, transparent and evidence-based procurement decisions.
• Identifying opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, deliver efficiencies and generate savings.
• Building effective relationships with stakeholders across commercial, finance, digital and operational teams.
• Supporting contract and supplier management activities where required.
• Maintaining appropriate governance, assurance and audit standards.
• Contributing to business improvement and wider organisational objectives.
• Personal development and supporting increased capability of peers and colleagues.

You will be expected to exercise sound judgement, demonstrate initiative and work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. Success in this role comes from taking ownership, building trusted relationships and delivering commercial outcomes in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Essential Skills Criteria - What we're looking for

• Commercial Delivery (CDLC) – * LEAD SKILL CRITERIA

You interpret business requirements effectively, develop practical solutions, and manage commercial activities through to delivery. You have a current and proven track record delivering successful outcomes in a fast-paced and changing environment. This should include premarket engagement, procurement, supplier engagement, contract management &/or similar activity.

• Commercial Knowledge and Judgement (CKJ)

You have breadth of experience to show how your commercial decisions support business objectives and deliver value for money. This may have been gained through procurement, negotiations, contract management, supplier management, financial oversight &/or similar activity. You can assess information, balance cost, quality and risk, and use sound judgement to support effective decision-making and positive outcomes.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Influencing (SEI)

You build open, effective relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels, influencing decisions and working collaboratively to achieve shared goals. You communicate confidently, support productive discussion, offer constructive challenge when needed, maintaining momentum by bringing the right people together to make decisions.

• Ownership and Leadership (OL)

You take responsibility for delivering high-quality outcomes and managing your own workload. You prioritise effectively, make informed decisions and remain focused when faced with competing demands, ambiguity or change. You demonstrate leadership through using your initiative, taking accountability and committing to deliver results.

*Lead Skill Criteria meaning;    Should DWP receive a high volume of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead skill criteria ’Commercial Delivery’ (CDLC) definition above. Applications that meet the minimum required standard for the lead criteria will then continue to be assessed against the remaining three (3) skills criteria definitions. Applications that do not meet the minimum required standard for the lead skills criteria will not be progressed to full sift of the remaining three skills criteria.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes

£12,876 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).

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been iden