Head of Commercial Contracts

Location: Suffolk

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 01 July 2025

Salary: £57,000 - £63,000 dependant on experience

Specific Hours: 39 hours per week

Head of Commercial Contracts

We are seeking an experienced Head of Commercial Contracts to take full ownership of the commercial governance at SPS. In this pivotal role, you will lead and manage all aspects of contracts, supplier relationships, tenders, and negotiations.

As the primary commercial contact for contracts within the business, you will collaborate proactively with stakeholders at all levels across SPS and its supply chain. Your strategic guidance and partnership will be essential in driving commercial excellence and maximising value for SPS.

The position will be covering both Suffolk and Somerset so travel will be required.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

  • Providing line management for the Commercial Manager  
  • Working closely with the Management Accountant to ensure good commercial and financial management of SPS 
  • Selection of suppliers through the organisation of quoting and tendering processes 
  • Full commercial management of contracts post-award including managing the ongoing relationship with suppliers, negotiations and contract review meetings 
  • Evaluating current systems and implementing changes to the business to generate best commercial value for SPS and the client 
  • Ensuring all Principal Accountabilities for the contract commercial team are implemented in accordance with client commercial procedures 
  • Assessing & engaging with the supply chain based on collaborative working principles to ensure best value for the client and SPS. 
  • Correct assessment of potential suppliers, information exchange via procurement electronic portal tools, along with invitation to tender preparation, evaluation & negotiation, ensuring that selected tenders are compliant with the scope & commercial requirements 
  • Working closely with the finance team to complete submissions on time for example management and submission of the Application for Payment 
  • Management of the relationship with SPS’s IT stakeholders and with our IT support provider, including procurement of hardware and software 

Skills & Experience 

Essential: 

  • 3 years’ experience in a similar role 
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and health and safety IT systems 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • The ability to organise and prioritise workload 
  • Understanding of the Social Value approach to Supply Chain management and procurement  
  • A flexible approach to working hours as we are a 24/7 business.  
  • Driving licence 
  • Highly numerate 
  • Stakeholder and relationship management at a senior level  

 Desirable: 

  • Ability to support and drive behavioural culture change programmes across a large, complex, multi-shift operation
  • Relevant Degree 
  • NEC3 contract management 
  • Management Diploma 
  • Knowledge of the transport sector or a similar field  
  • Experience with Sage 50

All employees must be willing to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and obtain a DBS certificate.

SPS Bus welcomes applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Apply now