45647 - Commercial Manager
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Job Title: Commercial Manager (Procurement/Contract/Category Management)
Reporting to: Senior Commercial Manager
Job Location: National
Pay Range: £30,989 to £41,095
Pay Factors: Candidates with MCIPS may be offered up to 10% in addition to baseline salary; London weighting available for candidates based in Inner/Outer London (differing salary bands apply); Reward & Recognition, based on one-off or sustained performance, related cash and non-cash bonuses available
Number of Posts: Up to 4
About the Department
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. Responsible for courts, prisons and probation services, we work to ensure sentences are served and offenders are given rehabilitation opportunities to become law-abiding citizens.
The Ministry of Justice (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.
The MoJ spends £3.5bn a year and manages over 1000 active contracts, all of which are sourced and managed by CCMD. We are running some of the most groundbreaking programmes such as Prison Reform and Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service Reform. The scope of our contracts ranges from building, maintenance and the operation of Prisons, Courts and Young Offender establishments through to food for prison dogs. 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.
CCMD is advertising, in this campaign, vacancies for up to 4 Commercial Managers across different categories as detailed below. You may see other campaigns within MoJ for different functions or category teams, this is in part due an increase in resource to help deliver MoJ’s pipeline of activity. We have chosen to keep some campaigns separate as some roles require specific skills and/or experience.
For this campaign you are asked to nominate your preference in order of category within your application. While we cannot guarantee your preference, we will take it into consideration.
Meet the Teams
The recruiting teams will be holding a Microsoft Teams webinar to explain more about the MoJ, their categories and this recruitment campaign. Potential candidates are invited to attend this webinar which will be on the following date and time:
Tuesday 20th July 2021 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Potential candidates can access the webinar here:
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer alternative dates and times, we look forward to speaking to you then.
About the Teams
Financial Services x 2 post (current base: Leeds)
The Financial Services team has 25 contracts a mixture of Bronze, Silver and 4 Critical Gold Contracts across a range of Financial Services including Investments, Payment Acceptance, Payment Cards, Insurance, Claims & Compensation, Pensions and Banking Services. As a Commercial Manager you will be responsible for one or more of these high-profile and critical ‘Gold’ contracts and a selection of the Silver and Gold Contracts, proactively managing these contracts in collaboration with the Ministry’s operational contract management teams. This will involve building market knowledge to identify opportunities for savings and innovation, managing commercial risk and exposure and increasing value for money. Working within a fast-paced environment, you will bring excellent communication and organisational skills to ensure contracts are working effectively to meet business needs and stakeholder relationships are managed appropriately
Food & Retail Category x 1 post (current base: Leeds)
The team provide commercial oversight for contracts supplying operationally critical food and retail products with a combined expenditure in excess of £100m per annum. We work closely with policy/technical leads and operational contract management teams within HMPPS at every stage of the commercial lifecycle. The contracts managed are critical to ensuring safer prisons and reduced re-offending with over 500 prisoners per day engaged in meaningful activity.
The team currently comprises of six individuals with varying levels of experience and specialisms. Even though our base location is Leeds the team is geographically dispersed. The current category structure provides a blend of more technically challenging, operationally complex and bespoke gold classified contracts alongside lower classified silver and bronze contracts.
Security Category x 1 post (current base: Leeds)
The Security Category forms part of the team responsible for sourcing and managing contracts aligned to Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) based in Leeds.
Managing over 25, predominantly goods, contracts with an exciting and interesting pipeline to deliver the team is responsible for a wide of goods and services which support building and operational security in prisons and contributes to the national intelligence capability of HMPPS.
Part of the category supports mitigating threats and contraband entering prisons including but not limited to X-Ray Body Scanners, X-Ray Machines, Mobile Phone detection and interference technology.
The other part of the portfolio provides support to operational security for staff and establishments and covers specialist Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Public Order Equipment, Body Worn Cameras
The Category is playing a key role in supporting key Government priorities, such as the Security Investment Programme announced by Prime Minister Johnson.
Key Responsibilities – relevant to all posts
Commercial Managers will have an opportunity to create real difference and contribute to public service, with the associated development exposure this brings. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading end to end sourcing activity including pre-procurement activity, requirements definition, strategy development, market engagement and producing the invitation to tender pack (including specification, technical and financial evaluation and contract drafting)
- Leading contract implementation and management activity, working closely with stakeholders to deliver mobilisation, performance management, contract variation, negotiation and exit activity
- Strategy development at contract level, using business acumen and market insight to drive commercial opportunities to deliver continuous improvement, value for money and/or savings
- Embedding Cabinet Office’s Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) approach at contract level
- Analysing market, spend and performance data and presenting this to support commercial activity and reporting requirements
- Leading on collaborative commercial opportunities, working with other government departments
- Leading conflict and issue resolution with suppliers and stakeholders, seeking support from the Senior Commercial Manager where appropriate
- Supporting the Senior Commercial Manager and leading on activities which support the development of category management procedures, tools and ways of working
- Managing communication or escalation of issues from customers, predominantly in HQ or prisons
- Ensuring compliance with governance, legislative and policy requirements as appropriate
- Commercial Managers may also have line management responsibilities
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
- Relevant commercial experience (e.g. procurement, contract management, category management, supplier relationship management)
- Experience creating and delivering sourcing exercises (e.g. from identification of business need through to award and mobilisation)
- Delivery and management of procurement materials (e.g. procurement strategies, specifications, evaluation criteria)
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
- Strong business acumen and ability to show evidence-based decision making
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, you will be a team player who leads by example
Desirable Criteria:
- Awareness of public sector procurement legislation including EU Rules and UK interpretations;
- Working knowledge of Procurement Systems, e.g. Oracle (ERP) and/or Jaggaer (Bravo)
- Contract Management experience
- The ability to drive improved outcomes by influencing and developing the market.
Most importantly we are looking for people with the right personal qualities: enthusiasm, energy and proactivity, able to work under their own initiative while being flexible and adaptive to a demanding environment.
Qualifications:
Candidates must have one of the following or be willing to work towards gaining appropriate qualifications:
- Member of a relevant professional body, e.g. CIPS, WCC (previously IACCM) or similar (note: MCIPS attracts a potential high salary weighting)
- Contract Management Capability Programme, Foundation level (available through Government Commercial College)
Interview process (to be confirmed but may include):
Behaviours
Selected behaviours will be assessed at face to face interview stage. For more information please see information on Gov.UK (click here)
Technical Skills
Technical skills will be assessed during a presentation you will be asked to give at the interview stage these may include:
- Procurement
- Contract management
Experience
Areas of experience that we’ll assess during the selection and interview process may include:
- Commercial experience (e.g. sourcing, contract or category or supplier relationship management) – this shall be used as selection criteria at CV sifting stage
- Experience of creating and delivering sourcing and procurement exercises and a solid understanding of procurement processes.
- Evidence of excellent stakeholder management experience and supportive people management skills.
- Evidence of having worked in a commercial environment in either a category, sourcing, or contract management role.
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.
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.
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
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.
Grading Structure Review
The Ministry of Justice is currently undergoing a review of posts which are currently graded at Band A to realign our grading structure with the majority of the wider Civil Service.
Posts advertised at Band A may be graded at either Grade 6 or Grade 7 once the review has taken place.
01/08/2021, 23:55 hours.
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 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.
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
Interview stage assessments
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
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.