The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is an armed police service that’s dedicated to the nuclear industry. Our vision is to be recognised as a provider of a world-class service for the protection of nuclear material and facilities. Given the critical nature of our work, it’s vital that we recruit skilled and capable professionals to join our experienced team.
The Commercial Specialist makes professional recommendations that will be relied on by the organisation, to make important strategic and contractual decisions affecting projects with lifetime budgets exceeding £1m.
We are looking for an individual who is professionally qualified (MCIPS), and experienced in management. The Commercial Specialist will be required to establish, implement and if necessary, enforce strategic procurement policies and ensure the organisation’s compliance with legal obligations. The position has significant latitude to make important decisions.
You will be required to identify, scope, evaluate, award and implement a broad range of procurements and contracts on behalf of the Police Authority and Constabulary. The principal focus is on helping stakeholders to realise their needs in a timely and compliant manner through providing professional advice and support in a specialist field of work. You will also mentor and support other professional procurement staff in development roles, and work toward the continuous improvement of the Constabulary’s commercial terms and conditions, policies and service level agreements in a wide variety of contractual areas.
Some of the skills and experience required for the role include:
- Professional Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply MCIPS Professional Qualification.
- Public Sector: Extensive experience in managing procurement activities and contracts within the public sector, understanding its unique challenges and regulatory requirements.
- Experience and understanding of the procurement of goods, services, and works across a range of categories including but not limited to Professional Services, IT, FM and Travel/Fleet.
- Experience of developing effective strategies providing professional guidance to organisations and stakeholders
- Contract Lifecycle Management: Experience in handling all phases of the contract lifecycle, from negotiation and execution to monitoring and renewal.
- Compliance and Risk Management: Experience in ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, such as the PCR2015 and PA2023, and managing associated risks.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to work with various stakeholders, including suppliers, legal teams, and internal departments, to meet Commercial objectives. Effective interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Dispute Resolution: Experience in managing and resolving contract disputes effectively and efficiently.
- Analytical Skills: Proficient in analysing contract terms, financial data, and performance metrics to make informed decisions.
- Legal Knowledge: Understanding of contract law and public procurement regulations to ensure all contracts are legally sound. Ability to prepare and produce necessary supporting documentation appertaining to contracts, service-level agreements and framework documentation.
- Financial Acumen: Ability to understand financial aspects of contracts, including budgeting, cost control, savings and efficiencies.
- Responsive to changing priorities and requirements with the ability to handle competing demands and meet deadlines.
The post holder must comply with Equalities Legislation and promote equality, diversity and inclusivity through their daily interactions. The post holder must avoid any behaviours which discriminate against others on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, political opinion or trade union membership.
This role has been assessed as suitable for hybrid working with a 60% Home / 40% Office split, which will be discussed and agreed with the selected candidate.
Please note that this role will initially be based at our HQ in Culham, Oxfordshire until our relocation to Harwell, Oxfordshire in Autumn 2026
Benefits of working for the CNC:
- 27.5 days annual leave (rising by 1 day after 2 years’ service, and 0.5 days ever year thereafter until a total of 32.5 days is reached) plus Bank Holidays
- Additional 30 minutes time worked during the week to accrue additional leave of 3 days, which can be used for period between Christmas and New Year
- Generous pension scheme (20.7% employers contribution). The employer contribution for this grade is a minimum of £8,649 per year, and employee contribution (8.2%) of at least £3,426 - providing you with a total minimum annual pension contribution of up to £12,075.37
- Flexi-time working scheme
- Bonus scheme – dependent on oganisational and personal performance, up to a maximum of 7% of salary
- Subsidised Costa Coffee, restaurant, and deli on site at HQ
- Free parking on site
- Eligible to join the national Blue Light Card scheme, which offers discounts on a variety of products and services
- Enhanced family friendly and wellbeing policies
- Cycle to Work scheme
As police staff the public expect us to display the highest standards, values, and professional qualities at all times. The CNC values and Code of Ethics applies to all police staff and sets out the principles and standards of behaviour we expect to see, and you are responsible for displaying and delivering these to the highest standards.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At CNC we value and appreciate the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We work to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.
Through the ongoing support of our affinity networks, ED&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our ED&I commitments, ensuring the CNC is an employer of choice; where everyone is included.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact the Police Staff Recruitment Team to request accommodation.
Please review the video links below which will give you an overview of the vetting process that you will be required to go through if you are selected in your application to join the CNC:
- Vetting: An Overview - https://youtu.be/lRit8RA7Zpo
- Vetting and Finances - https://youtu.be/JmZP7r-9MEE
- Vetting and Life Experiences - https://youtu.be/jVPHvgpB8nc
