7Force - Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services - Herts

Hertfordshire Constabulary
Permanent
Full Time
7 Force Commercial Services
Agile, Headquarters, WGC, Herts
A6
£50,088

Please note, if this is a paid role and the role is part time then the salary quoted will be pro rata based on the hours worked per annum.

Market Rate Supplement
£4000
37

08/10/2025, 23:55

7 Forces Commercial Services Supplier Relationship Manager – Operations and Community Services

Location: Dependent on applicant’s location, can be based anywhere across the 7 Forces

Reporting to:  7F Head of Category Management 

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced commercial professional to join our Supplier Relationship Management team within the commercial function, supporting the 7 police forces across the east of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk).  This collaboration is responsible for third party spend of approximately £250m per annum, making the 7 Force Collaboration the second largest police procurement collective after the Metropolitan Police.  commercial influence on this scale has the potential to attract significant financial benefits through market shaping and economies of scale.  This also enables 7 Forces to seek to manage suppliers more strategically on a regional basis to secure savings and wider social, economic, and environmental benefits. 

You will develop and manage the commercial relationship with a designated portfolio of strategic suppliers to ensure that the 7 Forces get value for money.  You will also be expected to lead and/or support complex commercial negotiations with key suppliers, promoting innovation and ensuring best value is achieved, as well as addressing and enforcing sanctions for poor performance, and assisting in defending the relevant Force(s) from contractual claims.

We are looking for someone with good commercial acumen, a track record of supplier relationship management and proven success in negotiations and resolving contractual disputes.  The nature of the role means that you will need strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and negotiate.  You will need to demonstrate that you have the ability to engage a range of key internal stakeholders at varying levels of seniority.

You will hold MCIPS Level 6 or be able to clearly evidence equivalent levels of experience, technical knowledge, and expertise by having worked as a commercially focused procurement professional for a complex, public sector organisation.  You should possess significant knowledge and understanding of current contract law and the application of EU Public Procurement Regulations and legislation.

Necessary Experience

Skills and abilities:

 

  • Strong analytical skills to align procurement solutions with customer needs.
  • Ability to “see the big picture” and think strategically about developments in the various category markets and the opportunities that those developments will create for the 7 Forces. 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise successfully with staff/officers of all levels and external individuals, and to influence stakeholders within the 7 Forces and external organisations. 
  • Strong commercial acumen. 
  • Strong negotiating, influencing, interpersonal and communication skills are essential to the role. 
  • Provide innovative thinking and impetus to drive through change and develop and enhance an integrated commercial and contract management function across the seven forces. 
  • Good organisational, time management and project management skills in order to ensure delivery of results to agreed deadlines.
  • Ability to travel as required throughout the UK.

 

How to Apply

All applications must be made through our online recruitment portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button 

In your application we will be looking for you to demonstrate the essential and desirable criteria set out in the full job description. Please use the box provided on the application form to list your evidence.

Travel: Travel will be required across all seven forces.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications: 08/10/2025

For an informal initial discussion about the role please contact Anamaria.gray@norfolk.police.uk in the first instance.

The postholder for this role will be employed by 7 Forces Commercial Services, but the base location of the postholder could be within any of the seven police forces listed above (i.e. local to you) and is therefore open to candidates across all regions.

Applications from internal ‘at risk’ staff will be prioritised and receive preference in any selection processes.

The Vetting level required for this post is Management MV and Security Clearance. Candidates will be required to undertake the appropriate level security vetting checks, which will include the requirement to have lived in the UK for the past three years (RV) or five years (MV) from the date of your application.


 

Help us deliver outstanding policing for everyone.
We believe that to serve our communities effectively, we need people from all backgrounds, bringing a wide range of life and professional experiences. This helps us reflect the communities we serve and ensures we deliver the best possible service.


Why Choose a Career in Policing?
Hertfordshire Constabulary is recognised as a pioneering and forward-thinking service, responsible for policing a large, diverse, and multicultural population.

If you're looking for a meaningful and rewarding career—where you can make a real difference, take on new challenges, and gain a wide variety of experiences—then we want to hear from you.


What We Offer
We’re proud to support our people with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Pension Schemes: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, with employer contributions and death-in-service benefits.
  • Generous Annual Leave: 24 to 33 days (depending on rank and length of service).
  • Sick Pay: Up to six months full pay and six months half pay (depending on service).
  • Family Leave: Occupational maternity, adoption, and paternity pay (depending on service).
  • Carers and Discretionary Leave
  • Flexible Working: Including compressed hours, flexible shifts, job sharing, annualised hours, and agile working (role dependent).
  • Wellbeing Support: Local wellbeing teams, on-site gym facilities and exercise classes (location dependent).
  • Sports & Social Clubs: Enjoy discounts, trips, and events through our dedicated clubs.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Blue Light Card App: Option to sign up for discounts in-store and online for emergency service workers.
  • Financial Support: Access to Police Mutual for savings plans, insurance, loans, and independent financial advice.
  • Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential support for personal and professional wellbeing.
  • Staff Support Networks: Including groups for Black and Minority Ethnic colleagues, LGBTQ+ colleagues, disability awareness, menopause support, faith-based groups, and more.
  • Trade Union Membership: Access to UNISON.
  • Career Development: Opportunities for progression, promotion, and leadership training.


Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building a workforce that is inclusive and truly representative of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those currently under-represented in policing, including:

  • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
  • People of all ages and abilities
  • All faiths and religions
  • LGBTQ+ communities
  • Individuals from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds

All applications are assessed fairly and based on the evidence you provide and your suitability for the role.

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Recruitment and Selection Policy
Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the selection process, will be offered the role over the remaining internal and external applicants.


Police Barred and Advisory Lists
Individuals placed on the Police Barred and Advisory lists will not be considered for employment by the police for a minimum of 5 years from the date of listing in the case of gross misconduct, or 3 years from the date of listing in the case of poor performance.


Vetting and Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and operate safer recruitment processes, to ensure a police service that employees are proud to work for because they feel safe, valued and part of a happy and supportive work environment. All employees and volunteers therefore will be subject to background checks including vetting and references.

Hertfordshire Constabulary recognises the growing use of AI tools in preparing job applications. While these tools can support you in expressing your skills and experience more effectively, their use must align with the principles of honesty, integrity, originality, and personal accountability. We want to learn about you and your own personal experiences and how these make you suitable for the role, this will be assessed throughout the recruitment process including at interview, which AI cannot replace. Please click HERE to find out more about the acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in our recruitment process.  

This advert is closed to applications.