Corporate Contracts Manager (Band 4/HEO)
Indexed description
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Managing a Quality Service
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Competitive rates of pay
- Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
- Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
- Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
- 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' qualifying service, plus public holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours in addition to your annual leave balance)
- Parental leave benefits
- As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.
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 identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Application information
As part of your application, you will be invited to complete:
- An anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 750 words which demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria of the job advert and your relevant experience,
- A statement of (no more than 250 words) on the Behaviour 'Managing a Quality Service',
- An anonymised CV which should include your career history and qualifications. Please note that the CV will be used to validate qualifications. Please ensure that you tailor your CV to demonstrate the mandatory qualifications, you MUST detail your GCSEs or equivalent / higher qualification within the CV section.
Sift Information
The sift will take place from week commencing 7th September where you will be assessed on your CV, Behaviour and Personal Statement.
IMPORTANT: Please be advised that the sift will be conducted on a knock-out basis. An initial sift will be conducted on your CV. If you meet the benchmark for the CV, your Personal Statement will be scored. If you meet the benchmark for both the CV and Personal Statement, you will progress to a full sift in which the Behaviour will also be scored.
Interview Information
Interviews will take place from week commencing 21st September, where you will be assessed on the Behaviours advertised and your Experience in relation to the Essential Skills and Criteria.
Interviews will take place in-person at our Buxton office. We will consider virtual interviews on a case-by-case basis.
Please be advised that the Lead competency, Experience, will be used to determine outcomes in the event of a tie-break.
Qualifications - Please be advised that, if successful, you will be asked to provide evidence of your relevant qualifications. Failure to provide these may result in the withdrawal of your job offer.
Sponsorship
This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.
Further Information
Due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and, Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.
HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.
From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box [email protected].
Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK
It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.
Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.
HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.
If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: [email protected]
If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.
Any move to HSE from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.
Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further;
Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
- Name : Dr Simon HIll
- Email : [email protected]
- Email : [email protected]
If you believe that Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition have not been met, you can raise a complaint by emailing: [email protected] or by writing to HSE at the following address:
HR Resourcing Team, 2.3 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact Civil Service commissioners:
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecodecomplaints/
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