At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for digital tech in Defence, ensuring excellence and strategic supplier relationships.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Defence, a diverse and inclusive employer.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in Defence while developing your commercial skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial roles and contract management; CIPS Level 4 preferred.
- Other info: Enjoy on-site amenities and a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 42000 £ per year.
Location MOD Corsham, Wiltshire (SN13 9ET) or MOD Abbey Wood Bristol (BS34 8JH) or MOD Main Building London (SW1A 2HB) as the base location. The role supports hybrid working, blending office attendance and home working where suitable.
Job summary: Hire a Commercial Management Lead to provide procurement leadership for digital technology capability across Defence Digital. The role operates within Defence Digital Commercial, building procurement excellence and developing a strategic supplier relationship management approach. Open to UK nationals only. Full time equivalent; 37 hours per week.
Overview: You will deliver commercial excellence by analysing key supply markets, supporting contract mobilisation, delivery, risk and lifecycle management. The postholder will manage one or more low‑to‑medium complexity contracts and maintain stakeholder relationships.
Role specific responsibilities:
- Lead catalogue management for the MoD, responding to communications and providing guidance.
- Proactively identify and resolve procurement issues and anomalies within the catalogue process.
- Monitor throughput and system uptime on MOD corporate procurement systems and maintain supplier data accuracy in Basware.
- Conduct data analysis for forecasting, trend identification, and management reporting.
- Support senior management and CCS reporting requirements, including management charge data.
Premarket Engagement: Provide commercial advice to Defence Digital delivery teams to influence and inform sourcing of new goods and services.
Sourcing: Define and run procurement processes in line with public sector regulations. Select suppliers using evaluation criteria and secure value for money. Negotiate favourable terms for low‑to‑medium value contracts. Support senior commercial officers in negotiation of complex contracts. Hold formal delegated powers up to £2.5 M.
Contract Management: Identify and track financial and non‑financial benefits and savings. Ongoing proactive management of key supplier relationships. Deliver full lifecycle management including changes and quality standards. Commercial risk identification, mitigation and management.
Person specification: Experience in a commercial role supporting large sourcing projects and high‑value contract negotiation. Experience managing medium complexity/value contracts and category management. Practical experience utilising market insight to aid sourcing and contract management. Robust commercial negotiation and contractual terms, pricing and discounts. Practical experience in Contract and Supplier Management from award to closeout. Hold CIPS Level 4 or be willing to achieve it.
Behavioural skills: Collaborative, positive attitude and effective communication. Clear decision maker taking accountability. Prioritisation and workload management. Build and maintain mutual trust and inclusion. Hold self and others to account.
Benefits: Salary £37,720 plus Civil Service defined benefit pension. Learning and development tailored to the role. Flexible working options including hybrid office on 4 days per week. Commercial Market Skills Allowance £1,500 per annum upon CIPS Level 4. Fully funded professional qualification training with CIPS. On‑site MOD amenities: parking, dining, gym and sports facilities.
Security & Nationality requirements: Successful candidates must meet appropriate security checks. Open to UK nationals only.
Equality & diversity: MINistry of Defence is an equal opportunity employer. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities under the Disability Confident Scheme.
Application process: Applicants must complete CV, personal statement of up to 1250 words and answer selection criteria. Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams.
Defence Digital Commercial - Commercial Manager - IT Hardware & Peripherals employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Contact Detail:
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Defence Digital Commercial - Commercial Manager - IT Hardware & Peripherals
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Defence Digital and understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Practice common questions related to commercial management and procurement. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Defence Digital.
We think you need these skills to ace Defence Digital Commercial - Commercial Manager - IT Hardware & Peripherals
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Stellar CV: Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Tailor it to highlight your experience in commercial roles and contract management. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for us to spot your key achievements.
Nail the Personal Statement: You've got 1250 words to showcase your skills and passion for the role. Be sure to connect your past experiences with the responsibilities listed in the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to Defence Digital!
Address the Selection Criteria: Take the time to carefully respond to each selection criterion. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you meet these requirements. This is your chance to show us you're the perfect fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially in the public sector. Familiarise yourself with how to define and run procurement processes, as well as the importance of securing value for money. Being able to discuss specific examples from your experience will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with contract negotiation, particularly for low-to-medium value contracts. Think of a few scenarios where you successfully negotiated terms or resolved issues. This will demonstrate your ability to manage supplier relationships and deliver commercial excellence.
✨Data Analysis is Key
Since the role involves data analysis for forecasting and trend identification, be ready to discuss your experience with data management. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform decisions or improve processes in previous roles. This will highlight your analytical skills and your understanding of their importance in procurement.
✨Be Collaborative and Communicative
The job requires a collaborative attitude and effective communication skills. Prepare to share examples of how you've worked with teams or stakeholders to achieve common goals. Highlighting your ability to build trust and maintain relationships will resonate well with the interviewers.