Commercial Manager

Job overview

This role sits at the heart of ARP's commercial function, combining end-to-end procurement leadership with active contract management across major services delivered to NHS Ambulance Trusts in England, Scotland, and Wales.

The postholder will manage the full procurement lifecycle in compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2023, designing and running competitive and framework procurements that deliver value for money, transparency, and regulatory adherence. Equally, the role is responsible for managing contracts ensuring ARP meets its contractual obligations throughout contract implementation and delivery. Acting as a trusted commercial partner, the postholder will maintain contract records, drive performance, resolve commercial issues, and lead change where required.

Success in this role demands strong commercial judgement, a proactive and curious mindset, and the ability to engage and influence a broad range of stakeholders — including ARP teams, the Home Office, Crown Commercial Service, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS Ambulance Trusts.

Check out our website to find out more about us as an organisation, our programmes, and latest press releases where we celebrate the huge team effort required for a successful delivery. Ambulance Radio Programme - Providing national critical communication solutions to the English, Scottish and Welsh Ambulance Services

Main duties of the job

We encourage applications from anyone with a passion for positive commercial outcomes that enhance patient care. Although the role is scoped as a full-time role, we encourage applications for individuals that may require in flexible working arrangements.

The post is anticipated to be home based but depending on the location and preference of the successful candidate, it will be possible to work out of one of ARPs offices (there are currently offices in Barnsley, Bristol and Central London). It is expected that for home-based candidates there will be a need for occasional travel to one of the offices or to meet external colleagues and/or other members of the ARP team.

You will lead end-to-end procurement activities for major ARP Services delivered to NHS Ambulance Trusts across England, Scotland, and Wales, managing the full procurement lifecycle in line with the Public Procurement Act 2023. This includes designing and running both open/competitive flexible procedures and framework procurement's, ensuring value for money, transparency, and regulatory adherence at every stage. This may also include procurement's for goods and services required by the ARP team and Ambulance Trusts.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information about this role please see attached the job description.

Although the team is delivering complex programmes on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), the team is hosted by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, which means the successful candidate will enjoy all the benefits that working for an NHS Foundation Trust has to offer. These include a generous annual leave allowance (starting at 27 days), career average NHS pension scheme, access to a network of NHS / Emergency Services discounts offered by third party partners and NHS tax free initiatives like a salary sacrifice lease car scheme, plus cycle to work and technology scheme. All roles are subject to a Basic DBS, the cost of such will be deducted from the first pay instalment upon successful appointment. Please see the Gov website for the current pricing.

This role requires Security Clearance and you will need to have been a UK resident for at least 5 years. For more information on the Government requirements, please visit the Gov website.

This role can be worked from any location Bristol, Barnsley or London. If working from London the expectation would be that office working would need to happen minimum once a week.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.