Senior Commercial Manager (Software & Technology Procurement)

Project overview

Role: Senior Commercial Manager (Software & Technology Procurement)

We are looking for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager with strong enterprise software and technology procurement expertise to lead complex, high-value software procurements, renewals and supplier negotiations.

This is a specialist technology commercial role, rather than a generalist commercial management position. Candidates must demonstrate hands-on experience procuring enterprise software, managing licensing agreements and negotiating with major technology vendors.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Software Procurement (Critical):

End-to-End Procurement:

Public Sector Commercial Experience:

Stakeholder Management:

Desirable Experience:

Essential Experience:

Applicants should have:

• Proven experience leading high-value software and technology procurements.
• Commercial experience with major vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Informatica and Flexera.
• Strong understanding of enterprise licensing, SaaS, cloud subscriptions, software support and renewals.
• Experience negotiating complex software licensing and pricing agreements.
• Experience developing sourcing strategies and routes to market.
• Leading competitive tenders from business case through to contract award.
• Drafting tender documents, evaluation criteria and commercial models.
• Strong supplier negotiation and contract management experience.
• Extensive procurement experience within Central Government, ALBs or other large, regulated organisations.
• Strong understanding of public sector procurement governance and compliance.
• Experience using CCS frameworks and government procurement routes is highly desirable.
• Confident engaging with senior Digital, Technology, Finance, Procurement and IT Asset Management stakeholders.
• Ability to challenge suppliers, analyse complex pricing proposals and deliver value for money.
• Software Asset Management (SAM)/IT Asset Management (ITAM).
• Large-scale digital transformation and enterprise technology programmes.
• CCS framework procurement experience.
• MCIPS qualification or equivalent.
• Strong experience in procurement, commercial management or strategic sourcing.
• Experience delivering complex commercial and procurement solutions.
• Recent experience in at least one of the following areas:
• Laboratory equipment/scientific instrumentation
• Reagents, consumables or associated services
• Research, analysis, consultancy or professional services
• Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT)
• Hands-on experience using Atamis/Health Family eCommercial System, including creating sourcing projects, updating workplans and managing contracts and procurement notices.
• Strong practical knowledge of PCR 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Experience using public sector procurement frameworks, such as GCA/CCS, NHS SBS, NHS Supply Chain or university purchasing consortia.
• Experience delivering above-threshold procurement exercises, including high-value contracts.
• Proven end-to-end tender management experience.
• Experience developing procurement strategies, business cases and approval documentation.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and manage multiple procurement activities simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong understanding of commercial governance and compliance.
• Experience working within central government, NHS, healthcare or other regulated public sector organisations.
• Experience within health, laboratory, scientific, research or life sciences environments.
• Experience publishing transparency notices through Contracts Finder or the Central Digital Platform.
• Experience with government spend controls and assurance processes.
• Experience delivering commercial/procurement training to operational stakeholders.
• Experience supporting the development of delegated procurement officers.

Project details

Manchester, Newcastle or Blackpool With Hybrid (3 days onsite)

Contract: 6 months+

IR35: Inside IR35

• Start: flexible
• Location: Manchester, UK, GB