Job description for Commercial Manager

At Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), we’re empowering our people to make positive change. We’re looking for talented and passionate Commercial Managers to help lead the way to delivering the future of defence. Are you ready to make a difference?

You’ll join a diverse team who support the successful delivery of defence procurement programmes with real world impact. These programmes range from peacekeeping to disaster relief to humanitarian aid projects – and we’re proud to help deliver them while ensuring compliance and best value.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead and manage a range of commercial activities, including drafting contract terms & conditions, managing risk and evaluating risk opportunities, sourcing and managing the procurement of new suppliers and developing policies and schedules for regular procurements. Your role will also involve close collaboration with senior management and engagement with various stakeholders across multiple teams.

Successful candidates will be supported to undertake the required training if not already held. This includes relevant study with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), funded by DE&S; a practitioner-level accreditation panel to demonstrate the Government Commercial Function (GCF) professional standard; and leadership development and defence commercial professionalism courses to enhance commercial skills and ensure ongoing Continuing Professional Development.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

What you’ll be doing

• Accountable for determining the appropriate commercial strategy for project requirements within own delegation. Drafting the strategy plans, commercial management plans and facilitating/delivering it or making recommendations, ensuring all contracts adhere to procurement regulations and Government policy.
• Lead the management of requirements or a portfolio of requirements and the contract management activity which will be of varying risk and complexity ensuring all parties are held accountable to meet their contracted obligations to ensure effective delivery.
• Develop and deliver Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), Invitation To Tender (ITT), Invitation To Negotiate (ITN) and contract documentation ensuring adherence with MOD policy and legislation.
• Support supplier relationship management, identifying and collating supplier data for DE&S strategic and critical suppliers to inform supplier deep dives, supplier strategies and roadmaps.
• Negotiate terms and pricing, place and manage contracts and contract amendments up to a maximum delegation of £10M in accordance with set guidelines outlined in the individual’s delegation letter and MOD policy.
• Communicate in a timely manner with a range of internal and external stakeholders including Senior Leadership, suppliers and Subject Matter Experts.
• Contribute to wider Commercial Profession and business improvement activities.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Previous experience of sourcing, delivering, and managing contracts
• Experience in developing and implementing Procurement Strategies
• Experience of managing and leading others
• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Office or equivalent and ability to use IT systems and programmes

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

• Core Behaviour 1: Making Effective Decisions
• Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and Influencing
• Technical Competence 1: Tender and Bid Process – Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: Contract Management – Practitioner

 Offered Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission