Associate Procurement Lead; Government Equivalent – Associate Commercial Lead

Cheltenham, Manchester

We recognise the importance of a healthy work‑life balance, which is why we offer flexible working options including flexi‑time, part‑time, full‑time, job share and compressed hours. Please note this role requires a minimum of 3 days per week in the office, with flexibility to work from home 1‑2 days per week.

MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats such as terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ, to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe.

A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.

As an Associate Procurement Lead, you’ll provide a responsive, efficient and professional service in line with our commercial policy. Supporting the Procurement Lead within your team and working closely with customers at all levels, you’ll assist with the delivery of goods and services, and ensure requirements are delivered on time and meet expectations.

You could be working with our customer‑facing teams, managing relationships, developing commercial solutions and agreeing the future pipeline and prioritisation of the workbook. Or you might be supporting commercial delivery within category teams across Technology, Estates, People and Professional Services, and the Supply Chain Security team. We also have roles in Commercial Operations, with responsibility for low value procurements, policy, audit, and management information.

Whichever area you’re working in, you’ll be part of a friendly, inclusive, welcoming and highly supportive team working across the Intelligence Agencies. You’ll work with a broad spectrum of people, from customers in highly sensitive operational areas to suppliers, government partners and our overseas counterparts.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll keep internal and external partners informed with progress, updates and any issues and risks regarding a range of procurement projects. You’ll monitor and review contract performance, ensuring key performance indicators (KPIs) are met while providing sustainable cost savings and value‑added interventions. From gathering requirements and overseeing tendering, to contract implementation and management, you’ll apply best practice commercial principles to all you do.

Plus, you’ll task‑manage a team of your own, building their capabilities and enhancing their impact through the continuous development of working practices and approaches. You’ll share your enthusiasm and motivate those around you, providing support and approaching tasks with positivity. In doing so, you’ll add real value to a department making a genuine contribution to the safety of the UK.

The role offers a great balance of on‑site collaboration and flexible working. A minimum of three days per week in the office is required, with the option to work from home on other days where business needs allow. Some posts—and opportunities to take on a broader range of responsibilities across the organisation—may require up to five days a week on site.

The role may also involve occasional travel to other locations – this could be around 1 day per month, on average.

You will bring your commercial acumen, knowledge of procurement processes and in-depth understanding of procurement activities to this role. With your extensive experience of working in a procurement and supply‑chain service, you’ll know how to secure value for money and deliver best practice. This will be supported by your ability to build rapport and develop strong working relationships with customers, suppliers, and your own team.

You will also understand how to develop a commercial pipeline, with consistent and repeatable management information to support prioritisation of the commercial work. Your experience will be in areas such as development and delivery of…