Senior Commercial Officer - Contract Manager

The role is within Defra's Supplier Relationship Management and Contract Management (SRMCM) Team which provides expertise to define best practice standards for contract and supplier management for Defra group. The team manages the Long-Term Services Agreement (LTSA) framework with Fera Science Ltd, a high-value framework providing strategic research and diagnostic services to government, including on plant and insect health, environmental studies, sustainability and food security.

You will manage the LTSA framework, ensuring it continues to deliver excellent services on its nine call-off contracts, including to quality, cost and time. You will help manage the transition to new contracts following expiry of the LTSA in March 2025, embedding the new ways of working and a successful handover. For brevity, reference to the LTSA in this advert includes the replacement contracts.

You will help shape and strengthen relationships with Fera, LTSA governance and help Defra deliver ambitious goals. This will include working with senior stakeholders to ensure contract risks are clearly understood, owned and managed at the highest level.

The Senior Commercial Officer will report to the Grade 7 SRMCM Commercial Manager.

You will lead framework management activities for the LTSA, working closely with the supplier and stakeholders from across Defra and wider government to monitor and ensure delivery to time, cost and quality. You will ensure that all performance metrics are provided on time, assess them with the call-off customers, and ensure that any issues are resolved to their satisfaction. You will co-ordinate quarterly KPI reporting to Cabinet Office for the LTSA.

You will manage the LTSA governance arrangements at operational and strategic levels. You will arrange and either chair or support relevant meetings, ensuring they continue to deliver on their remit and create value for attendees. Where necessary, you will update the governance arrangements in consultation with Defra and Fera.

You will oversee and manage risks on the LTSA, ensuring they are being identified, owned, and managed throughout the framework's life. You will escalate these where necessary, working with senior leaders to ensure service continuity.

You will deliver Value for Money throughout the life of the LTSA. You will monitor framework pricing, potentially including a variety of pricing strategies (fixed, firm, open book, etc), ensure the contract rates are being complied with, and agreeing updates where needed. You will identify opportunities for continuous improvement with the customers and Fera and ensure these are delivered.

You will oversee the commissioning process to agree new activities by Fera, working with customers to ensure suitable statements of requirements, and that Fera's proposals are optimal. You will work with a range of stakeholders from across Defra group (including Natural England, Environment Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency) to educate them on the services offered under the LTSA.

You will manage the transition from LTSA to new contracting arrangements following LTSA expiry. You will lead contract initiation activities, establishing new ways of working, governance and reporting.