Commercial Procurement Manager - Digital

Are you a credible procurement professional, able to lead the commercial activity and category strategy for the digital spend in the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)? Our digital spend includes both the back-office infrastructure as well as digital delivery within MaPS' front-line services. The annual spend is in the region of multi-million pounds per year and includes complex requirements. We need a candidate who can take a strategic approach to commercial activity and work closely with the Digital, Marketing and Information Security (DMI) leadership team to identify and deliver commercial opportunities and long-term strategies.

You’ll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to helping people across the UK improve their financial wellbeing.

Role Overview

The Commercial Manager will report directly to the Category Lead for Technology and Business Services. In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Primarily this role will be working in the digital sector alongside assisting the business category on occasion.
• Manage and deliver commercial activity effectively and in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and HMG procurement policies, manage and mitigate financial, legal, commercial, operational and reputational risks.
• Design commercial models including payment and performance framework which drive value for money while also enabling the achievement of the strategic objectives of programmes and projects.
• Promote and lead market engagement activity pre-procurement to shape the requirements and test the commercial model and T&Cs.
• Undertake market analysis and testing in order to inform the commercial and operational decisions while also keeping abreast of markets and costs.
• Negotiate with key suppliers, ensuring value for money without compromising quality and business continuity.
• Develop and draft agreements and contracts in collaboration with commercial lawyers and contract business owners, ensuring they are fit for purpose and protect MaPS without limiting the competition and market interest.
• Contribute to manage suppliers’ performance monitoring KPIs and achievement of milestones and providing commercial support in situations of under-performance.
• Develop working relationships with Contracts Managers and Suppliers so that good working practices are introduced, maintained/improved and roles and responsibilities are clearly set out and robust.
• Manage contract variations and payments of suppliers in line with the payment model agreed in the contract.
• Act as first line of response for all queries related to the contract, escalating to line manager and when appropriate to commercial lawyers.
• Act as a commercial leader in MaPS raising commercial awareness across the organisation and championing the value of commercial.
• Take responsibility to shape and deliver the transformation of MaPS commercial function.

Skills and Experience Required

To excel in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Commercial Focus: experience and/or demonstrable knowledge across the full commercial lifecycle ideally in the digital category of spend.
• Manages Complexity: experience of procuring and managing complex services.
• Risk Mindset: ability to offer strong judgement and decision making around risk and risk mitigations keeping in mind the ultimate goal.
• Market Insight: knowledge of market drivers and behaviours for both private and third sector.
• Decisive: Able to operate in a dynamic and fast-pacing environment and to make sound decisions and recommendations.
• Builds Relationships and Influencing: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build credibility with partners/stakeholders and constructively challenge situations where needed to improve outcomes.

About Us

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK. At the heart of the Money and Pensions Service are our values – caring, connecting, and transforming, which are the foundation of our success. They permeate every area of our work and define all our business relationships and the way we work with each other. We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but we need people who align themselves with our values:

• Caring: We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting: We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming: We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to “bring their whole selves to work.” Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women’s health, men’s health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary)
• Interest-free loan for season tickets for buses and trains
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs
• Give as you earn scheme
• Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• Enhanced family and sick pay
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year)
• Recognition Scheme
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Flexible Working

At MaPS, we take pride in our flexible approach to work. As standard, we work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week. Hybrid working is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and our headquarters in Bedford will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business needs, but personal and other relevant circumstances will also be considered. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

In MaPS, we take career development seriously. We actively encourage and support applications from our existing MaPS colleagues. However, we do follow the Civil Service Commissioner recruitment principles, which means that you will be required to participate in a full, open, and fair process.

Reserve List

If you are successful at interview, we operate a reserve list where your details will be held for up to 6 months. Should a vacancy come available in that time with the same essential criteria, reserve list candidates will be offered that position with no further assessment required.

Application Process

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Money and Pensions Service via email: recruitment@maps.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Job Reference: MaPS00875

Close Date: 22/06/2025

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Purchasing

Industries: Non-profit Organizations