Contract Manager

About this job

If you want to make sure public contracts deliver more than compliance, this role offers the chance to turn contractual commitments into visible benefits for residents, communities and frontline services. As Contract Manager, you will manage a portfolio of contracts and strategic supplier relationships across an allocated category area, making sure that public money continues to deliver value long after contracts are awarded. You will oversee the full contract lifecycle from set-up and mobilisation through to performance management, change control, close-out and re-procurement planning, ensuring services remain resilient, accountable and focused on outcomes. You will implement proportionate Contract Management Plans, monitor KPIs, social value commitments, spend, risks, variations and supplier performance, and work with services and suppliers to resolve issues before they affect residents or service delivery. This is a role with real influence and public purpose: you will challenge costs, validate price changes, manage extensions and variations, support Procurement Act 2023 transparency and performance reporting, and protect the Council from avoidable contractual, financial and operational risk. You will also work with suppliers to unlock continuous improvement, innovation, savings, efficiencies, resilience and wider social, economic and environmental benefit. By strengthening supplier accountability and turning performance data into action, you will help LBBD secure the maximum public benefit from every contract it manages and ensure contracts make a measurable difference to the borough.

Special requirements for this post

You should hold MCIPS Level 6, a relevant advanced practitioner qualification in contract management or supplier relationship management, or be able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience and expertise. We are looking for someone with at least five years’ experience in a commercial role involving contracts or suppliers of significant value or complexity, ideally within a public sector environment. You should have strong commercial acumen, including the ability to lead negotiations, manage claims or disputes, operate change control, and manage variations, extensions, mobilisation, exit and close-out activity in a way that protects service delivery and public value. You will need strong analytical, reporting and records management skills, with the ability to maintain clear audit trails, manage sensitive commercial information and support transparency, FOI, data protection and information governance requirements. Experience of monitoring supplier performance, financial health, risks, KPIs, social value, sustainability and ESG commitments would be valuable, particularly where this has helped improve service resilience, accountability or resident outcomes. In return, you will join a purposeful service helping LBBD strengthen supplier accountability, improve contract performance and secure maximum public benefit throughout the life of every contract.

About you

You will be a commercially minded contract management professional who is motivated by turning contract commitments into measurable benefits for residents, communities and frontline services. You will bring experience in contract management, supplier relationship management, procurement, category management or a related commercial role, with the confidence to manage contracts of significant value or complexity in a public sector setting. You will understand contract law, local authority governance, public procurement obligations and the Procurement Act 2023 requirements that affect contract performance, transparency, KPIs and modifications. You will be comfortable analysing performance, financial, risk and supplier data, using this evidence to identify issues early, challenge poor performance, support service continuity and drive action that improves outcomes. You will be able to chair supplier meetings, negotiate constructively, manage disputes, challenge costs and advise senior stakeholders with clarity and confidence. Above all, you will be a trusted adviser and responsible steward of public funds, focused on strengthening supplier accountability, protecting public value and ensuring contracts continue to deliver visible benefit throughout their lifecycle.

About us

Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here. Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here. Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. #ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham. As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.

Additional Information

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or support at any stage, please contact the Hiring Manager to discuss your needs.