CSOC Commercial Senior Manager - HQ

Job summary

Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) generates and operates specialist capabilities, ready to fight across all domains to make the United Kingdom secure at home and strong abroad.

Always on, we are across every UK operation, delivering the capabilities you don’t usually see – or those you can’t.

From cyber warriors and medics to intelligence analysts, special forces, educators, and Defence attachés, our collective expertise delivers the warfighting edge Defence needs to deter threats and secure the nation today, and prepare for tomorrow.

CSOC unites Defence’s cyber and specialist capabilities under a single, military command alongside the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force – acting as the UK’s fourth Military Command. For more information, please see here.

CSOC Commercial has a rich and varied portfolio of contracts across multiple categories of spend. We have 100 commercial specialists geographically spread over the globe covering contracts worth £7.5bn. It is a dynamic and exciting place to work at the leading edge of Defence. We welcome diversity, we are passionate about inclusivity, and love challenge that drives innovation. We value each individual contribution, learn together, and deliver stronger.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

In this role you will contribute to delivering commercial excellence for CSOC through, analysing key supply markets to understand the characteristics of new markets, and inform whether market making or development is required, work on all stages of the procurement process, mobilising contracts, managing the delivery and performance of the contract, supplier relationship management (SRM), carrying out contract changes, managing risk within the contract and managing contract transition and exit.

You will work independently and part of a larger team by drawing on your commercial experience to drive performance and manage setbacks. You will be able to prioritise and manage your own workload to deliver to deadlines, mitigate and escalate any emerging risks and to respond swiftly to changing operational demands.

Typically, the key responsibilities in this role will include (but are not limited to):

- Working as a procurement lead and as part of cross-functional teams in order to implement pre market engagement

- Leading/ managing any Controls, Department Approvals and Governance processes; working with procurement regulations, organisational policies, procedures and security requirements

- Using e-sourcing/ e-tendering tools and techniques

- Overseeing market analysis, understanding market models and market shaping

- Ensuring that all pre-procurement engagement has been completed and that the organisation is ready to go to market

- Working with key stakeholders to develop a clear and agreed view of business requirements, and supporting business units in articulating their commercial requirements

- Understanding the requirement, the market place and potential solutions, providing advice and challenging where necessary

- Advising and providing professional guidance throughout the sourcing process, considering and evaluating a range of sourcing models

- Drawing together and presenting reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex data and recognising when to bring in experts/researchers to add value to the available information

- Justifying and documenting the selection of a particular commercial option

- Challenging the organisational need for the purchase especially where Corporate Social Responsibility or value for money considerations suggest the procurement can be better channelled through existing assets or an existing contract

- Gathering requirements from across the business in line with market research when defining Terms and Conditions

- Developing the bidders’ packs including reviewing and clarifying the specification, drafting appropriate tools and considering optimal pricing and incentivisation mechanisms for medium value purchases and procurements

- Applying the most appropriate evaluation strategy to a sourcing requirement taking into account the type of commodity or service being procured, complexity, value and strategic importance

- Managing one or more contracts of medium complexity/ value, ensuring effective stakeholder management, governance, performance management frameworks, escalation, risk management, issues resolution, financial management, change control and compliance

- Reviewing and understanding the terms and conditions of contracts and deliverables, working with the supplier to establish a plan for delivering them

- Agreeing and clarifying contract management responsibilities with stakeholders, advising them on setting up effective processes

- Leading all planning and preparation, goal setting, strategy and tactics for re-procurement, undertaking soft market testing

- Developing and maintaining positive commercial relationships with the supply chain to maintain and enhance performance, improve service delivery and create additional value

- Mentoring and providing guidance to junior members of the team

Person specification

• Leadership of a Commercial Team in managing sourcing, procurement and delivery of contracts and supporting / developing a Commercial Team.
• A thorough understanding of public procurement regulations and Department Policy.
• Be a self-starter, who is confident with decision making, an effective communicator and can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Confidence in making decisions and have the self-drive and determination to deliver goods and services for our end users.
• The ability to deliver pragmatic and swift commercial solutions to immediate, novel, and sometimes contentious commercial issues.
• Experience of using procurement eSourcing tools such as Contract Purchasing & Finance.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, assess information rapidly, seek clarity or additional information where necessary and articulate needs or processes in a way that is understood by the stakeholder audience, bearing in mind that often such audiences have very limited or no procurement and/or requirement setting experience.
• Experience of applying procurement policy, governance and regulatory requirements in a commercial or procurement environment

Responsibilities

• Work closely with project and military colleagues to deliver the commercial aspects of acquisition programme objectives, engaging with stakeholders across MOD, Other Government Departments and industry.
• Compile, issue and evaluate tenders, ensuring procurement activity is delivered in line with HMG procurement policy, applicable regulations, best practice and value for money principles.
• Provide commercial advice and guidance throughout the procurement process, including identifying risks, challenging requirements where appropriate and delivering appropriate commercial solutions.
• Support contract management activity across the HQ portfolio, including supplier engagement, performance management, issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Share best practice and lessons learned with the wider CSOC Commercial Team to support consistent and innovative commercial delivery.
• Line manage members of staff where required, supporting their training, development and broader commercial capability.
• Act as a role model by demonstrating effective communication, appropriate behaviours and compliance with relevant standards and policies.

Essential Criteria

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of working in a commercial role, with responsibility for sourcing, contract management, stakeholder management and supplier management, requiring only limited support.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, assess information quickly, seek clarification where needed, and explain requirements, risks or processes clearly to varied audiences.
• Experience of line management, including supporting, developing or guiding others.
• Either hold CIPS Level 4, or an equivalent qualification, or be willing to commence study towards this within one year of appointment.

The successful candidate must also be willing to complete the required learning to obtain their Practitioner Commercial Licence and Market Skills Allowance, including:

• Procurement Reform eLearning
• CMCP Foundation eLearning
• Sourcing Mechanics Course

And also the following course to achieve a Sales Licence:

• Income Generation Course

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Sourcing – Executing the Sourcing Strategy (Practitioner Level)
• Contract Performance Management (Practitioner Level)

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Sourcing – Executing the Sourcing Strategy (Practitioner Level)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

CSOC Commercial is passionate about delivering excellent commercial outcomes for our customers but we also understand you will have a life outside of work; we respect your priorities, and our industry leading flexible workings practices will give you real freedom to balance work and life. We employ talented people who challenge and guide each other whilst providing a culture of inclusion and diversity.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments.
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms.
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1 – Application

To apply for this job, please submit:

CV – A CV outlining your job history, full qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Personal Statement – A Personal Statement (maximum 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the role description and responsibilities.

Success Profiles: Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical Skills:

• Sourcing – Executing the Sourcing Strategy (Practitioner Level)

You should ensure that you read and understand the criteria within the Success Profiles: Behaviours and the Commercial Skills and Competency Framework documents and provide evidence of those criteria using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format.

Stage 2 – Sift

We aim to release sift results to applicants 1 to 2 weeks following the closing date. Depending on the volume of applications, these dates may be subject to change.

Stage 3 – Interviews

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be invited to undertake a single virtual video interview which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and will take around 60 minutes. During the interview we will be asking questions to assess you against the Civil Service Behaviours and Commercial Technical Skills as referenced below.

Success Profiles: Behaviours –

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at pace

Technical Skills –

• Sourcing – Executing the Sourcing Strategy (Practitioner Level)
• Contract Performance Management (Practitioner Level)

Interviews are scheduled to take place 3 to 4 weeks after the job advert has closed. These dates may be subject to change depending on the volume of candidates we have to interview.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Karen Preston
• Email : karen.preston106@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)CSOC Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1777kB)Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)