Contracts Commercial Lead - #2187649

We are working with a local authority to recruit an experienced Contracts Commercial Lead (Procurement) to join the council and play a key part in supporting the Optimisation workstream within their transformation programme.

Working alongside senior procurement, finance, legal and operational colleagues, you will lead strategic contract reviews, supplier negotiations and commercial optimisation activities that contribute directly to the Council's financial sustainability objectives

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct strategic reviews of priority contracts to identify savings opportunities, commercial improvements and contractual recoveries
• Assess contract performance, pricing structures and commercial arrangements to identify efficiency opportunities
• Lead supplier negotiations to secure cost reductions whilst maintaining service quality and operational performance
• Work closely with Procurement, Finance, Legal and Contract Management teams to implement contract improvements

What We Expect This Role to Achieve

• Delivery of measurable contract savings across targeted contracts within the first six months
• Improved commercial terms and supplier performance arrangements
• Enhanced value for money across the council's contract portfolio
• Strengthened contract management practices and commercial capability
• Successful knowledge transfer to procurement and contract management colleagues
• Increased use of data and AI-enabled insights to support commercial decision-making

Essential Requirements

• Demonstrable experience delivering tangible contract savings and commercial improvements within large and complex organisations
• Significant experience managing supplier negotiations and contract optimisation programmes
• Strong commercial analysis skills, including spend analysis, benchmarking and cost modelling
• Experience working across major contracts in areas such as construction, facilities management, public realm, infrastructure or related sectors
• Understanding of public sector procurement and contract management principles
• Ability to work effectively with procurement, finance, legal and operational stakeholders
• Experience using contract data and AI-enabled tools to support commercial decision-making
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information clearly
• Proven ability to deliver results within challenging timescales