Senior Commercial Manager

Location:MOD Corsham, Wiltshire (SN13 9ET) or MOD Main Building London (SW1A 2HB) as base location.

Job Summary

We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.

Defence Digital is responsible for delivering and integrating new digital capabilities, giving our forces the advantage on the cyber battlefield to combat an ever-evolving threat.

In support,Defence Digital Commercial is building a centre of procurement excellence, focusing on getting the best outcomes across all our contracts. We are developing a more strategic approach to supplier relationship management and implementing new ways of working that will embed good practice category management.

We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Manager to join the Software Category within the sub-category team for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Services and the Digital Foundry.

Defence is following the Cloud First strategy which involves significant transformation by moving away from traditional on-prem data centres and migrating onto the cloud in order to exploit the latest technology.

The AI and Digital Foundry Commercial Team is a relatively new sub-category team and is going from strength to strength. The portfolio is a significant growth area for Defence and is looking for highly motivated commercial professionals to help us mature as a category.

The team has been set up to enable MOD to harness the game changing power of AI through harnessing the Digital Backbone and accelerating adoption and scaling the impact of AI and innovative technologies. Joining the team is an opportunity to help pioneer cutting-edge digital capabilities to real world problems, directly impacting the security and protection of the UK.

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to join our team, specialising in sourcing and contract management within a dynamic fast-paced and agile environment. You will be responsible for your own portfolio of procurements and contracts, reporting directly to the Commercial Lead. The role will also have Line Management responsibilities.

You will lead on sourcing a range of complex and high-value procurement projects, contract negotiations and ensure governance with government regulations. You will be empowered to think creatively and own the commercial strategies for a variety of procurement projects. The role requires strategic oversight of supplier relationships and delivering value for money, whilst adapting to shifting priorities and maintaining operational effectiveness.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week, 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. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority's sole discretion.

As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.

Person Specification

Experience required:

• In depth experience in a commercial or procurement environment, including managing tender processes and contract management
• Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.
• Experience in supplier management
• Experience of leading, managing and developing others.
• Stakeholder management and influencing, with strong communication skills
• Confident with making decisions and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to manage competing priorities, assess information rapidly and be flexible to respond to dynamic situations
• Candidates should have Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, CIPS Level 4, or be willing to achieve this qualification by commencing study once in post. This will be fully funded and supported by MOD.

We are looking for a person who:

• Is a team player and sees the added value that a team contribution to achieving results can bring;
• Demonstrates energy and personal drive to deliver business outputs;
• Responsive, innovative and seeks out opportunities to effect creative change;
• Flexible and adaptable to meeting business priorities, and accepts that these are often subject to change;
• Builds positive and effective relationships that enable both commercial and/or project team goals to be delivered;
• Willingly contributes commercial advice and judgement in the acquisition process;
• Empowers others;
• Fair, honest and transparent in all personal and professional activities; and
• Seeks continuous improvement and builds it into a personal development plan.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills

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

• People Standards for the Profession - Understanding Needs and Sourcing Options - Associate Commercial Lead
• People Standards for the Profession - Contract and Supplier Management - Associate Commercial Lead

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• ACivil Service pensionwith an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate,although we expect the role to require office working on 4 days per week
• Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum, payable to staff on completion of CIPS Level 4 and mandatory commercial e-learning courses.
• Fully funded training for professional qualifications with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a global membership organisation
• MOD Corsham has on site parking, staff restaurant, coffee shops, sports facilities including fully equipped 24/7 gym for a fraction of the cost of a commercial gym. Classes run daily by fully trained PT instructors.
• MOD Corsham is a modern building surrounded by countryside, perfect for lunchtimes walks.

Please note:

• 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.
• 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 athttps://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.

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