DE&S and SDA Category Management Centres of Excellence are looking for senior professionals with a proven track record, who will be responsible for the management and coordination of the prioritised cost reduction of Category Management initiatives, including benefits tracking. They will ensure linkage with the MOD-wide Programme utilising the MOD-wide Sourcing Council’s role of strategic oversight to projects and Coordinate Category Management initiatives within DE&S and SDA, enabling intra- and cross-domain initiatives to deliver best value for the business.

Category Management is one of the key elements of the Acquisition Review and is being delivered as a work-stream within the Defence Commercial Functional Plan. The workstream delivers fundamental change that will enhance the delivery of core capability to front-line.

Responsibilities

The leads will support and enable existing project teams to deliver more value by providing the Category Management knowledge, tools and skills needed to develop and manage categories across the DE&S /SDA enterprise and empower them to make strategic decisions.

It is anticipated that the Individuals will work through a structured process to identify and validate improvement opportunities for a number of categories. Working with local project teams to refine scope and develop category strategy and business cases they will coordinate Category Management across the DE&S /SDA and drive efficiencies that improve both competition in the market and collaboration with industry.

• Provide vision and direction to own delivery team to ensure effective delivery of all DE&S/SDA commercial activities and wider business outputs.
• Lead a team by providing coaching, mentoring and development as required.
• Lead the development and advise senior staff on acquisition strategies related to a variety of procurements of different complexity and risk levels
• Support major competitive or single source procurements, including the development of models and approaches, complex Invitations To Tender, negotiations and contracts requiring non-standard/ bespoke conditions.
• Negotiate, place and manage contracts and contract amendments up to a maximum delegation of £100M in accordance with set guidelines outlined in the individual’s delegation letter and the MOD policy.
• Manage complex portfolios with multiple supply chains.
• Lead contractor performance management assessments including deliver of contractual obligations.
• Oversee and conduct assurance and due diligence of Commercial activity within own area of responsibility, enforcing adherence to Commercial policy. Participate in Peer Reviews as required.
• Undertake wide ranging communications in a timely manner with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including Senior Leadership, suppliers and Subject Matter Experts.
• Lead and advise the function in strategic activities related to improvement programmes or functional management.
• Use and analyse data, including spend analysis, to determine and make recommendations on industry and consumer trends.
• Devise long-term development strategies for product categories
• Develop exit strategies
• Make forecasts for product demand to ensure sustainability

Interviews for these posts will take place from Week Commencing 1st June 2021

What you will be assessed against

To be successful with your application you must demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Senior category management experience in a complex acquisition role
• Experience working with External Assistance with the intent to support and challenge strategic improvement programmes and make improvements to existing policy and process.
• Experience of leadership and delivery within sourcing and contract management
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders
• An understanding of working within a non-competitive procurement environment

It would benefit your application if you be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• Category Management experience in both direct and indirect spend areas is desirable
• Experience of setting up new categories from the start point, through negotiation and creating category strategy, procurement strategy and sourcing strategy is highly desirable
• Proven track record of savings and spend analysis in a category management position
• Experience undertaking Supplier Portfolio Management activities including setting up supplier performance reporting
• Knowledge of the Single Source procurement regulations

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competencies and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Establishing a Source Strategy
• Contract Management
• Leadership
• Changing and improving

What’s in it for you?

You will receive a generous benefits package including market leading employer pension contributions of around 21% of your salary (not including any personal contribution), annual bonuses, a flexible working pattern to fit you where possible, 25 days holiday +1 additional day every year you work up to 30 days with opportunity for movement and promotion. Some of our sites include an onsite gym, onsite restaurants, cafes and much more.

Find out more about what we offer by clicking here

Applicants should be aware that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on an employee’s ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

About your team

The DE&S & SDA Commercial Function is made up of around 1000 people who provide independent, professional judgement on commercial, procurement and contract management matters to meet the Armed Force’s needs, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance, whilst driving value for the customer. As a member of the Commercial team, you will play a key part in helping to equip and support the armed forces for everything from disaster relief and reconstruction to peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.

Please click the link below to apply by creating an account and upload your details.

To view the ‘Little Book of Big Benefits’, please click here

This post is not eligible for relocation allowances.