WM5G Commercial & Procurement Lead

Reports to – Finance Director
Role type –  Fixed Term Contract to 31 st March 2026
Location – Summer Lane, Birmingham or other West Midlands locations as required by WM5G
Remuneration – £65k
Context
West Midlands 5G (WM5G) is a market-leading organisation established to accelerate the deployment of digital technologies across the West Midlands region. Working with public and private sector stakeholders, WM5G aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance digital connectivity, and enable public sector transformation. Across Acceleration and Adoption, Connectivity and Health & Care our sector teams are sharing their expertise and collaborating with innovators to take businesses, organisations and communities on a journey to better:
·        Developing the fastest-growing technology economy in the UK.
·        Supporting healthcare providers to deliver innovative digital solutions, at home and in the wider community.
·        Reducing the time taken to roll out better connectivity across our communities.
In short, we make the realisation of technology and connectivity benefits radically easier for all.
To enable continued success WM5G will be required to run a range of Procurements and Grants. The Commercial and Procurement lead will act as Subject Matter Expert and support project teams in delivering the sourcing activity.
Purpose
To be the Commercial and Procurement Lead, working with WM5G team to deliver specialist procurement support aiding in the delivery of business priorities and acting as subject matter expert in procurement legislation and best practice procedures.
Accountabilities
Procurement & Responsibilities:
Develop and implement procurement guidelines in line with public sector procurement regulations (e.g., Procurement Act 23)
Lead on end-to-end procurement processes: market engagement, tendering (RFx), evaluation, moderation, award, and contract mobilisation.
As part of awarding contracts required to work with Legal in drafting the commercial contract.
Ensure all required reporting pre and post procurement is published.
Keep up to date market research to provide guidance on market pricing.
Create and Manage Dynamic Purchasing System and Frameworks as required to meet WM5G need.
Engage with legal to ensure ongoing commercial compliance.
Contribute to reporting requirements related to funding conditions & Audit requirements
Responsibility for the procurement toolsets
WM5G Procurement Portal – Bravo / Proactis
Financial Assessment Tools - Endole
Support bid writing and funding applications by contributing to commercial sections and facilitating submission.
Maintain company asset register
Non-Procurement Responsibilities:
Manage the new revenue tracking and reporting.
Identify relevant new funding sources through review of tender portals.
Maintain company risk register
Develop and maintain Board Pack
Manage and Maintain Docusign (CAF) Setup
Support updates of Procure to Pay policy and Expenses Policy.
Experience
·        Purchasing experience is essential; demonstrates the ability to develop procurement strategies (using appropriate tools and techniques), lead on engaging and evaluate tender responses, undertake bid conditioning and bid clarification, debriefs suppliers, award contracts, manage supplier relationships, supplier performance and undertake supplier and contract management activities.
·        Strategic sourcing knowledge and experience essential
Negotiation experience essential
Previous experience working with Public Procurement essential.
Demonstable training in Procurement Act 23 is desirable
Experience of e-tendering systems is desirable
Skills
Ability to build credibility with key stakeholders
Experience of influencing senior management to accept and endorse proposals, procedures, systems and methods of working
Able to effectively present information, proposals and ideas whilst engaging the audience and clearly communicating the benefits of change
Communicate and negotiate with third parties, external stakeholders and others with a relationship with WMCA to ensure the optimum outcome
Proficiency using MS Office, Outlook, Excel and similar systems
Qualifications
•       Degree or equivalent.
·        Minimum CIPS Level 5 and above qualification essential
Scope of Role
Budget accountability N/A
Headcount of team N/A
Decision making N/A
Equality and Diversity
It is important all staff feel valued and respected. As an employer, we embrace and value individual differences and will continue to implement policies that recognise individual needs - flexible working and family friendly policies, fair recruitment practices, equality training and equality impact assessment of policies and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose. We are committed to developing an organisation that is representative of the diverse communities we serve and encourage applications from women who are under-represented at this level of seniority.
Period of Appointment
FTC to March 2026 with a view to extend or make FTE.