Commercial Manager – UK Strategic Command

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the UK Government’s fourth largest spending Department with a budget exceeding £36Bn per year and net assets valued at over £100Bn. MOD is responsible for over 40% of the value of all Government contracts placed with the private sector each year.

As part of the MOD, Strategic Command (Strat Com) manages all allocated joint capabilities from the three services, Air, Navy and Army, comprising of Defence Intelligence, Joint Force
Development, Defence Medical Services, Information Systems and Support, Permanent Joint Headquarters, Permanent Joint Overseas Bases, Support to Operations and Defence Support, with permanent front-line bases spread across the UK and overseas.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Strat Com Commercial is offering an exciting and unique opportunity for a experienced Commercial professional to work within the high tempo operational environment, delivering professional and effective commercial outputs at a strategic level in order to support the diverse customer base, including contingent and enduring joint operations around the world.

The role is primarily Sourcing, involving the development of robust commercial strategies, leading end to end competitive and single source procurement activities, developing and interpreting Contract terms & conditions, contract negotiation and the engagement and development of effective relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers and the wider community. There will also be the opportunity to undertake effective commercial contract management. Although some of the workload is programmed, the nature of the work we do in Strat Com dictates that the successful candidate should expect to work in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.

Working from home: At the moment location can be flexible as we continue to work from home however, if and when things return to working from the office, travel and subsistence costs incurred travelling to your normal place of work will be at the job holder’s expense.

The successful candidate must perform in the position quickly and without the need for significant development therefore must already be working in a commercial environment, seeking to build on their existing skillset involving sourcing, stakeholder management, contract negotiation and supplier management. The successful candidate shall also be a self-starter with the ability to manage competing priorities, is confident with decision making and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Good communication skills are paramount as the successful candidate will need to initiate, develop and maintain effective relationships with possibly the broadest range of stakeholders and enablers in Defence, working closely with project and military colleagues to deliver innovative commercial solutions whilst managing a range of stakeholders in the commercial process within the MOD, Other Government Departments and Industry. The nature of the work requires a degree of face-to-face discussions with stakeholders, resulting in the need to travel and work from unit locations when required.

Line management responsibilities for members of staff where appropriate; encouraging training and development ensuring they are given the opportunity to broaden their commercial and broader skills.

Key duties include:

• Develop robust commercial strategies that will deliver effective contractual solutions
• Compile, issue and evaluate tenders whilst reviewing work and working collaboratively with the wider Strat Com Commercial Team on best practice and lessons learned
• Working with the Senior Commercial Manager to meet Strat Com Commercial’s vision and ‘Change 23’transformation programme
• Assist the Senior Commercial Manager in developing a network across Strat Com, MoD, OGD’s,Crown Commercial Services to enable effective engagement with all stakeholders
• Assist the Senior Commercial Manager in generating a Contract Management baseline and create,maintain and own robust Contract Management Plans for in-scope contracts
• Support the implementation and use of e-business procurement tools, promoting their use within the stakeholder community
• Assist the Senior Commercial Manager in actively seeking out and promoting ‘Commercial Awareness’ opportunities
• Act as a role model for others, demonstrating good leadership, effective communication and appropriate behaviour’s, while ensuring compliance with standards and policies

This job description is a general outline of the key duties and responsibilities and may be amended as the function develops and expands. The successful candidate may be required to undertake other duties as reasonably required.

Person Specification

Strat Com is seeking to fill the role of Commercial Manager with a motivated individual who is proactive,able to use efficient time management and has excellent organisational skills. A self-starter with the ability to manage competing priorities, is confident with decision making and is able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate flexible approaches to procurement risk within the appropriate Regulatory and Policy framework to meet the demand of the customer and deliver agility, flexibility and advantage through taut contracting, using routes to market ranging from Crown Commercial Services frameworks to bespoke contracts.

Previous commercial experience is essential, with the successful candidate having a proven track record in a commercial environment, be a proficient user of the commercial toolkit and e-procurement tools, can demonstrate sound judgement, show a working knowledge of commercial policies & practices and have knowledge of the procurement regulations.

The successful candidate must provide evidence of CIPS level 4 (or equivalent) or be willing to work towards this by commencing study within one year of appointment. Additionally, the successful candidate will have passed the MOD Practitioner Commercial License assessment or must be willing to undertake the assessment when agreed by line management.

Successful candidates may be eligible for the Commercial Market Skills Allowance on the successful completion of CIPS Level 4 and Licensing Board.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Commercial Competency Framework -Sourcing – Executing the Sourcing Strategy (Practitioner Level)
• Commercial Competency Framework -Contract Performance Management (Practitioner Level)

Strat Com Commercial is passionate about delivering great things for our customers but we also understand you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities and our industry leading flexible workings practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life.

We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other whilst providing a culture of inclusion and diversity.

Some of the many benefits you will receive:

• Access to learning and development tailored to your role. Fully funded training scheme to attain membership of CIPS including annual subscription fee.
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (by 1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of five years’ service
• Ability to roll up to 10 days annual leave per year
• Highly competitive pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking, on-site childcare facilities, subsidised Gym facilities and an active social organisation

Learning & Development

• Professional and Personal Development of Skills
• Access to training courses through Civil Service Learning
• Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications, supported by Strat Com

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Job contact :

• Name : Hattie Jones
• Email : Harriet.Jones125@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk