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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities and drive value through effective category management.
- Company: Join DVSA, a key player in delivering government commercial services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public procurement and enhance processes for better efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in the commercial cycle and public sector procurement is essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Swansea (Hybrid)
Salary: £35,663 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Join DVSA as a Commercial Category Manager and help deliver best‑practice government commercial services. You’ll lead activity across the full commercial lifecycle, driving value through cost savings, improved processes, and effective category management. Working collaboratively with stakeholders and suppliers, you’ll shape category strategies, influence decision-making, and support the transition to a more efficient, holistic commercial approach. This role offers the chance to develop policy, enhance processes, and contribute to a high‑performing, strategically focused commercial function.
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Support the Senior Category Manager & leadership team as they work to embed the new DVSA Commercial Strategy and the Category Management approach, delivering year on year improvements. This will include the development, planning, delivery, management, and continuous improvement of their assigned commercial sub-category.
- Provide advice on the essentials of public procurement regulations and the impact they have on all stages of the procurement process.
- Support a strong commercial focus and a persuasive future vision based upon the new DVSA commercial strategy.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About you
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Experience of the commercial cycle including pre-competitive supplier engagement, supplier selection, tender evaluation, contract award and ongoing contract management.
- Experience of public sector procurement, e.g., Public Contracting Regulations 2015, The Procurement Act 2023, using Crown Commercial Service frameworks and the Digital Marketplace.
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 23rd February 2026.
Commercial Category Manager in Bristol employer: Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
Contact Detail:
Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Category Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its commercial strategies. Understand their goals and think about how your skills can help them achieve those. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience with the commercial cycle and public sector procurement clearly and confidently. Tailor your examples to highlight how you've driven value and improved processes in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Category Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Category Manager role. Highlight relevant experience in the commercial cycle and public sector procurement, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—show us how you've used them! Provide examples of how you've driven value through cost savings or improved processes in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and any additional information we need to consider your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
✨Know Your Commercial Cycle
Make sure you brush up on the entire commercial cycle, especially focusing on supplier engagement and contract management. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in these areas and how they relate to the role of a Commercial Category Manager.
✨Understand Public Procurement Regulations
Familiarise yourself with key regulations like the Public Contracting Regulations 2015 and The Procurement Act 2023. Being able to articulate how these impact the procurement process will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also prepared for the challenges of the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've developed and implemented category strategies in previous roles. Highlight your ability to influence decision-making and drive value through cost savings and improved processes, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve collaborated with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific instances where your communication and negotiation skills made a difference. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively within a team and support the DVSA's commercial strategy.
