67018 - Commercial Manager (Contract Management, Digital and Technology)

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Background

The MOJ has one of the largest and most complex spend profiles in central government. The Commercial and Contract Management Directorate (CCMD) is responsible for coordinating procurement and contract management across the MOJ, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies. CCMD support some of the most innovative commercial work in government and each year spends circa £3.5 billion with work spanning the building and design of new prisons, the modernisation of our courts and tribunals and managing multi-million-pound contracts with our next generation IT suppliers. The directorate also buys and manages contracts for feeding up to 80,000 prisoners, the secure escorting of prisoners from numerous establishments based around the country and translation services.

CCMD is organised into category teams, each with an interesting portfolio of contracts and diverse customers and suppliers to manage. We also have systems, programme management office, supplier relationship and risk management teams who work across all areas.

The Digital, Technology and Professional Services commercial function sits within CCMD and is an exciting and fast-paced environment, delivering commercial leadership, procurement activity, category management, contract management and customer and supplier relationship management across a diverse customer base and covering a wide range of digital and technology areas. We are currently managing contracts valued in excess of £2.1b involving around 170 suppliers including several Blue Chip and FTSE 100 companies. Working collaboratively with both stakeholders and suppliers, we stimulate the supply chain and deliver efficiencies for our stakeholders and the public purse.

Role

The Digital Technology and Professional Services category has vacancies for up to 3 Commercial Managers in a predominantly contract management role.

This is an exciting time to join the team as a Commercial Manager, successful candidates will have the opportunity to make a real difference to society by providing professional commercial support to deliver the MoJ recovery from Covid19, rebuild public confidence in the justice system and restore law and justice. You will join an empowered, passionate, engaging and friendly team who work in partnership to deliver excellent commercial outcomes. Contribution to a strong team ethos as well as commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration and knowledge sharing is essential. Public sector procurement experience or knowledge is not essential, we are seeking individuals who have a passion for commercial and achieving value for money.

Main Activities / Responsibilities

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

• Contract management
• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) at contract level;
• Contract strategy development, using business acumen and market insight to derive commercial opportunities to drive continuous improvement, value for money and/or savings;
• Supporting the Senior Commercial Manager and leading on activities which support the development of category management procedures, tools and ways of working;
• Managing communication and/or escalation of issues from customers;
• Ensuring compliance with governance, legislative and policy requirements as appropriate;
• Managing the commercial pipeline, management of data systems and records;
• Possible line management of 1-2 staff.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong commercial acumen and ability to show evidence-based decision making;
• Relevant commercial experience, including contract management;
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven ability in successfully managing senior stakeholders;
• Experience of seeking out and analysing information

Desirable Criteria

• Awareness of public sector procurement legislation
• Experience in a Digital and Technology commercial role
• Working knowledge of procurement systems, e.g. Oracle (ERP) and/or Jaggaer (Bravo).
• Project and programme experience
• Supplier relationship management experience
• Category Management experience

Qualifications

Candidates must have one of the following or a willingness to work towards gaining the appropriate qualification.

• Member of a relevant professional body, e.g. CIPS, WorldCC or similar.

Behaviours

1. Making effective decisions
2. Communicating and influencing (Lead Behaviour)
3. Managing a quality service
4. Delivering at pace

Additional Information  

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

1- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

2- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);

3- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

For nationally advertised campaigns, candidates will be appointed to their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Contact information  

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote job reference - 51690.

To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why. 

For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:

• You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
• You were studying abroad
• You were living overseas with parents

In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.

Success Profiles  

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Communicating and Influencing.

if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit

Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit

Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit

Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit

Experience

CV

Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit

Areas of experience that we'll assess, through the CV and Statement of Suitability, during the selection process may include:

1. Experience in managing complex contracts, with a good understanding of the end-to-end contract lifecycle.
2. Evidence of having worked in a commercial environment in either a category, sourcing, or contract management role, with a solid understanding of procurement processes.
3. Experience of driving change and/or managing risks in a commercial capacity.

Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead behaviour of Communicating and Influencing.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans