Contract and Commercial Manager

About the Company

Karibu is committed to delivering high-quality services that enhance the lives of our residents and communities. Our mission is to create sustainable environments through effective asset management and procurement strategies, fostering a culture of inclusivity and social responsibility.

About the Role

The role involves leading commercial and procurement activities, ensuring value for money, and managing contracts effectively to support the organisation’s objectives and asset management priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a commercial and procurement strategy aligned with organisational objectives and asset management priorities.
• Drive value for money across all repairs, maintenance, and compliance contracts.
• Provide commercial insight to support business planning, particularly in relation to asset investment and service delivery models.
• Lead and manage procurement activities in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations, designing and delivering transparent, proportionate, and auditable tender processes.
• Embed robust contract criteria that reflect quality, social value, and resident outcomes, ensuring clear documentation and audit trails are maintained.
• Lead the full lifecycle management of repairs, maintenance, and asset-related contracts (responsive repairs, planned works, cyclical maintenance, and compliance services).
• Develop and implement contract management frameworks tailored to high-volume, high-risk service areas.
• Own and oversee contractor performance frameworks, including KPI design, monitoring, reporting, and performance insight to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective mobilisation of new contracts and smooth transitions between providers.
• Manage contractor underperformance, disputes, and contract variations proactively and robustly.
• Ensure contracts and service delivery align with Consumer Act principles, particularly in relation to fairness, transparency, quality of service, and customer involvement.
• Embed regulatory expectations and resident-focused measures within contracts, including tenant satisfaction, safety, complaints handling, communication standards, and service accessibility.
• Monitor contract spend across Asset management budgets, ensuring alignment with financial plans.
• Identify cost efficiencies while maintaining service quality and compliance.
• Lead benchmarking, cost analysis, and financial assurance activities, including validation of contractor charges and identification of cost anomalies.
• Implement robust processes to validate contractor costs, invoices, and applications for payment to ensure accuracy and value for money.
• Own and maintain a comprehensive and accurate contract register, ensuring all contract data is current, accessible, and supports effective governance and reporting.
• Chair formal contract management and performance meetings, ensuring clear governance, actions, and accountability.
• Establish structured mechanisms to gather feedback from internal stakeholders on contractor performance and incorporate insights into performance management.
• Ensure contractors consistently deliver services in line with contractual requirements, specifications, and service standards through proactive assurance and monitoring.
• Support internal and external audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews, maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation.
• Lead on the monitoring and management of disrepair cases, including performance analysis, contractor accountability, and liaison with legal representatives to mitigate risk, identify root causes, and drive service improvement.
• Support the delivery of the capital programme by providing commercial oversight of component replacement, planned works expenditure, and contractor performance.
• Embed, monitor, and report on delivery of social value, sustainability, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments within procurement and contract management, ensuring contractors deliver measurable benefits to local communities.
• Provide expert advice and training to managers on procurement and contract management responsibilities.
• Adopt and comply with Karibu’s values, policies and procedures, and regulatory frameworks including: Code of Conduct, Health & Safety, Data Protection, privacy and use of IT resources, Regulatory standards and probity, Risks and internal controls framework, Human Resources policies and procedures, Equality and diversity.

Qualifications

Relevant educational background in procurement, contract management, or a related field.

Required Skills

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proficient in contract management and procurement processes.
• Ability to analyze financial data and identify cost efficiencies.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in the housing or public sector.
• Familiarity with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
• Advanced negotiation skills.

Pay range and compensation package

Circa £70k

Equal Opportunity Statement

Karibu is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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