Defence Digital Commercial – Senior Commercial Manager – Networks, Mobile Voice and Video

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

MOD Corsham (SN13 9ET) as base location, with opportunities for hybrid working, to be agreed with Line Manager on appointment.

About the job

Job summary

Due to the nature of the role, this position is open to UK Nationals only

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).

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 Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This role is for a Senior Commercial Manager to join the Networks Category within the sub-category team for Mobile, voice and video systems.

The Networks Category Management Team provides independent professional advice on commercial matters, ensures compliance with relevant legislation and MOD policy, and negotiates contracts that achieve value for money. It develops procurement strategies, runs tender exercises, negotiations, and awards contracts in accordance with legislation and policy. It leads on the management of Networks contracts working with the project team to deliver some of the most complex and challenging commercial requirements within the department.

The team also engages with a multitude of suppliers in the Networks and communications field to understand the market to ensure that up to date advice and information is available when required.

The team is based in Corsham, consists of experienced, motivated and supportive commercial professionals, and is an ideal environment for personal and professional development.

The SEO Senior Commercial Manager in the Integrated User Systems (IUS) Commercial team is responsible to the Head of Networks (SCS1) for the procurement and contract management of the subcategory covering Mobile voice and data provision and fixed voice and video systems at all classifications (Official to Above Secret).

The team is currently undertaking the disaggregation of a large Service Management contract. Joining the team is an opportunity to help introduce new and exciting technology and to real world, Defence wide capability solutions, directly support the security and protection of the UK.

As a Senior Commercial Manager within the Networks Category team you will be required to:

• Be responsible for the contract management of a critical £100m Service Management contract covering a number of live Defence wide Services.
• Sourcing (re-procurement) of the MODs Mobile capabilities in mobile voice and data, and also Fixed Telecommunication and audio visual conferencing solutions at all classifications – including single source procurement via Single source contract regulations.
• Undertake category management activities, by building on market analysis and developing a clear understanding of historical and forecast spend along with future technical strategies to ensure that there is an effective route to market for sourcing.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing expert commercial advice as required
• Build effective relationships with current and future suppliers, enabling the market to better understand our requirements and ensuring that we build healthy, competitive competitions that deliver the right solutions at competitive prices.
• The identification and delivery of targeted savings and benefits both cashable and non-cashable
• Line Management of both Civil servants and (task management) of Contracted Commercial Support partners.

The post advertised is 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.

Person specification

We are looking for a person who:

• Will be an active member of the Networks Commercial Team, sharing best practice and lessons learned, and actively seek out opportunities to support the development of commercial skills both within the team and in the wider business
• Acts as a role model for others, demonstrating effective communication and appropriate behaviours, whilst ensuring compliance with standards and policies
• Directly line manages a team of Commercial Officers (both Civil Servant and Contracted Commercial Support Partners
• Is a team player working collaboratively with colleagues to deliver customer requirements
• Demonstrates energy and personal drive to deliver business outputs
• Is responsive, innovative and seeks out opportunities to effect creative change
• Is 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
• Is fair, honest and transparent in all personal and professional activities
• Seeks continuous improvement and builds it into a personal development plan
• Takes personal responsibility for generating and recording accurate Management Information, and for Commercial business.

Specific skills and experience required for the role:

• In depth experience in a commercial or procurement environment, including managing tender processes and contract management
• Stakeholder management and influencing, with strong communication skills
• Experience in negotiating with suppliers to achieve savings and Value for Money
• Experience in supplier management
• 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

Qualifications

You will be expected to complete the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS Level 4 qualification once in post if not already achieved. This will be funded by MOD.

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 Sourcing Needs and 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
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate
• 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.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKStratComDD-CM-COO-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk
• Email : UKStratComDD-CM-COO-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

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