Contract Manager - 32039

The Environment Agency strategy is to protect and enhance nature and leave the nation’s natural environment in a better state than we inherited it. We have committed to being a net zero organisation by 2030. Defra Group Fleet Services is responsible for leading the fleet transition to net carbon zero.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of fleet specialists to support delivery of these ambitious fleet targets and drive tangible change. You will work in a team of contract specialists, supporting delivery of a varied work programme of purchase and service contracts on behalf of the Environment Agency and our Defra Partners. You will work as with colleagues across the organisation identifying business needs, determining contract strategy, and leading tender processes including award of contracts.

You will lead on relationships with key suppliers. Managing contracts through the whole lifecycle, developing and monitoring KPIs, working with suppliers to reduce their environmental footprint, maintain a cost-effective fleet and ensuring we deliver our legal and health & safety responsibilities. So excellent relationship management and influencing skills are critical to the role.

Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) is a national team that now provides a collaborative fleet service to across the Defra group, we are part of the Strategy, Transformation & Assurance Directorate. The Contracts team work with colleagues to develop the contract requirement, determine and award the required contracts and contract management of supplier performance to ensure operational delivery of contracted services. The role will report to the Fleet Manager for Contracts.

Establish and maintain good relationships with internal and external partners to understand and influence their activities and promote and enhance Environment Agency goals and reputation.
Provide advice and guidance as an expert in fleet contracts, developing appropriate solutions to problems within policy / best practice guidelines.
Contribute to the development of Environment Agency policy and process at national / local level and monitor and advise on effective implementation in the business, in line with environmental targets.
Develop and implement systems and tools for monitoring and reporting on service delivery, assess and interpret operational performance / compliance and advise senior managers on implications and appropriate action.
A contract manager is able to ensure suppliers are delivering the required contract standards.
Experience of the procurement processes within Defra would be desirable.
The applicant must be well organised and be a self-starter.

The location is flexible, and you will be comfortable working as part of a dispersed team with remote working and management. You may be required to work in EA offices and attend national meetings, possibly with some overnight stays.

Please contact Jacqui Date (Fleet Manager) via email at: jacqui.date@environment-agency.gov.uk (Monday to Thursday) for more information or to arrange an informal discussion.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. Interviews will take place via MS Teams, provisionally early to mid November.

In no more than 250 words please give an example when you have consulted and collaborated with customers and partners effectively through raising awareness and education, or by combining projects, to ensure buy-in to initiatives which benefitted or promoted the organisation’s duties and policies.
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

In no more than 250 words please give an example when you have presented a case in a convincing and attractive way that has won people over, that encouraged them to follow plans willingly, and succeeded where logic and reason alone would have failed.
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

In no more than 250 words please give an example when you have found and delivered a solution to a problem, wher you effectively analysed all the information, probed to develop alternatives and took sound and timely decisions.
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

In no more than 250 words please give an example of where you have developed and managed successful contracts.
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

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