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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the UK Governments 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.
Defence Digital Commercial (DDCmrcl) is a growing organisation and is responsible for delivering outstanding value for Defence within the Digital and Information Technology sector. We are responsible for a large portfolio of complex contracts worth £2bn a year, through more than 300 suppliers.
Defence Digital Commercial is made up of five categories, IT Hardware & Services, Military Technology, Software and Hosting, Networks and Professional Services, each individual category team varies in size but in total we are a 180-person strong team.
We are now recruiting for Commercial Managers to join our team where you will have the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge to build your career. We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to move into different commercial roles to develop a broad skill set, access to mentors and a suite of learning to support you on your career path.
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Commands transformation programme is committed to following the MODs framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Commands personnel and Trade Unions.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
We currently have roles available within the category team listed below. Reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD commercial teams, although responsibilities will remain the same.
Military Technology Tactical Systems (TacSys)
The Tactical Systems (TacSys) sub category manages a portfolio of around 30 contracts with a total contract value in the region of £1bn. It procures the tactical communication systems that are essential to enable secure military communications in the operational land environment. The capability we provide includes soldier portable systems, those mounted on platforms and those deployed in headquarters. The sub category is also responsible for all procurement required to support the development, fielding and sustainment of these systems. The team is based in Bristol where it is co-located with the Tactical Systems Service Executive. The role will give you the opportunity to work on a major single source contract negotiation with one of Defences Strategic Suppliers. The nature of the work requires UK sole nationality.
The role of Commercial Manager includes the following:
Pre-market Engagement
- Providing expertise to Defence Digital project delivery teams to influence and inform the sourcing of new goods and services from 3rd parties
- Intelligently developing and deploying a range of sourcing strategies in cooperation with internal stakeholders
- Proactive market insight which includes a coordinated monitoring of potential and existing suppliers in a strategic and dynamic way
Sourcing
- Define and run Procurement processes in line with public sector regulations and using agreed tools and systems
- Selecting appropriate suppliers using relevant evaluation criteria and responsible for ensuring value for money for the duration of supplier engagement
- Negotiating favourable terms for pricing and contract terms that deliver immediate and ongoing financial and non-financial benefits
- Supporting the senior commercial officers in the negotiation of complex contracts
- Hold formal delegated powers of up to £2.5M
Contract Management
- Identification, definition and tracking of financial and non-financial benefits and savings
- Ongoing proactive management of key supplier relationships
- Effective management of full life cycle of the contracts including managing changes and ensuring ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered
- Commercial risk identification, mitigation and management
Change, Policy & SME advice
- Supporting category management maturity improvements by identifying opportunities to further enhance the value delivered by DDCmrcl
- Supporting continuous improvement and change management, using knowledge and experience to influence and embed good practice across the sourcing lifecycle
- Providing specialist advice on commercial policies and processes to other teams for e.g. delivery group
Leading & Managing
- Potential line management responsibilities based on skill set and business requirement
- Providing coaching, support and leadership to junior team members; acting as a role-model and inspiring leader
- Champion, embed and promote Diversity & Inclusion as part of the DD Commercial team culture
Candidates are required to have CIPS level 4 or to commit to working towards this qualification as part of their role.
All posts are full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable for the role in question.
Offers made to candidates below the required 37 hours (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authoritys sole discretion
Person specification
Experience
- Can demonstrate experience of working in a commercial role supporting large sourcing projects, multi million pound service contract management and high value contract negotiation
- Experience in handling complex, medium sized contracts
- Experience in managing end to end procurement process for medium and large value contracts
- Practical experience and expertise in requirements gathering
- Practical experience in utilising market insight to aid strategic sourcing and contract management
- Robust commercial negotiation of commercial and contractual terms, pricing and discounts
- Practical experience and expertise in Contract management, including managing contracts from contract award to contract closeout
- Experience in delivering savings and benefits tracking
- Ability to analyse, interpret and draft contractual wording with a strong attention to detail
Behaviours
- Collaborative individual with a positive attitude
- Proactive with solutions to complex issues
- Able to anticipate problems, provide creative solutions
- Able to effectively challenge stakeholders to deliver the right outcomes
- Flexible attitude and ability to work to tight deadlines
- Effective communicator, able to clearly articulate messages adapted to the needs of the audience
- Motivates and inspires and has the confidence of the team and their peers
- Build and maintain a working culture of mutual trust and inclusion
- Clear decision maker and takes accountability for decisions made
- Effective at prioritisation and managing workload and time effectively
- Embraces change and improvement
- Provide a quality service
- Deliver at pace, results and output orientated
- Takes ownership of own development and actively seeks to learn new skills which add value to the team
Desirable
Public sector procurement experience
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options (People Standards for the Profession Commercial Practitioner)
- Contract & Supplier Management (People Standards for the Profession Commercial Practitioner)
Benefits
£9,528 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- An environment with flexible working options
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate
- A Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum will be payable to staff on attainment of CIPS Level 4 and the Commercial Licence Assessment (you will be supported in completing the Level 4 CIPS qualification with funding and time allocation)
- On-site parking, sports facilities, staff restaurant and coffee shops
- Learning and development tailored to your role including Mentoring and Job Shadowing
- A supportive and friendly Commercial Function
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
At application stage:
Applications will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and suitability statement.
Please complete the CV section, setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements.
Note: You will NOT be able to attach your CV as a separate document.
You must also complete a suitability statement (of no more than 1250 words). The suitability statement is your opportunity to provide us with additional information that highlights relevant achievements and experience, and the required skills and behaviours listed in this advertisement, that make you suitable for the role.
At interview stage:
You will have the opportunity to provide further detail supporting the statements in your application, specifically relating to the skills and behaviours below:
Success Profiles – Behaviours
- Leadership (Civil Service Success Profiles, Behaviours Level 3 HEO or equivalent)
- Communicating and Influencing (Civil Service Success Profiles, Behaviours Level 3 HEO or equivalent)
Technical Skills
- Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options (People Standards for the Profession Commercial Practitioner)
- Contract & Supplier Management (People Standards for the Profession Commercial Practitioner)
Interviews will be held using MS Teams and are planned to take place from: Week Commencing 15 January 2024
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Tracy Magner
- Email : Tracy.Magner962@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk