Defence Digital Commercial - Commercial Manager - IT Hardware & Peripherals

Job summary

We are looking for talented and hard-working individuals with demonstrable commercial experience or transferable skills, to join us in providing a full procurement service for digital technology capability across Defence.

Defence Digital is responsible for delivering and integrating new digital capabilities, giving our forces the advantage on the cyber battlefield to combat an ever-evolving threat.

In support, Defence Digital Commercial is building a centre of procurement excellence, focusing on getting the best outcomes across all our contracts. We are developing a more strategic approach to supplier relationship management and implementing new ways of working that will embed good practice category management.

We are committed to developing our staff, providing opportunities to develop and grow within an inclusive and supportive environment. You will work within a highly capable, diverse team who will support you to develop your professional and personal skills, knowledge, and experience, including a fully funded professional qualification Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Due to the nature of the role, this position is open to Sole UK Nationals only.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Overview - You will contribute to delivering commercial excellence for your department through supporting with, analysing key supply markets to understand the characteristics of new markets, and inform whether market making or development is required. You will 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. The postholder will be responsible for managing one or more contracts of low to medium value/complexity.

Role specific - We are seeking a motivated individual with the right personal qualities to succeed in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, energetic, and proactive, able to work independently while remaining flexible and adaptable to changing priorities. They should be self-driven, resilient under pressure, and committed to contributing positively to the team and organisation.

The Commercial Management Lead will serve as the primary point of contact for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) RM6098 TePAS 2 Lot 8 catalogue. This role is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and operational continuity of the catalogue within MoD Commercial data and systems, including CP&F and Basware, ensuring seamless integration with the CCS e-purchasing platform.

The postholder will develop and maintain positive relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers and encourage collaborative relationships as appropriate.

The postholder’s professional expertise and judgement will be relied upon and valued by senior colleagues within internal teams to streamline processes, ensure compliance, and support efficient service delivery aligned with organisational procurement needs. They will also contribute to policy development, implementation, and provide guidance on management information and category management.

Typical activities include (but are not limited to):

Catalogue Management

• Lead and maintain stakeholder relationships on behalf of the MoD.
• Respond to communications in line with RACI principles (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed), identifying patterns and issues requiring escalation or broader attention.
• Provide and maintain relevant guidance and documentation.
• Proactively identify and resolve procurement issues and anomalies within the catalogue process.
• Monitor throughput on MOD corporate procurement systems
• Maintain vigilance on system downtime and its impact on catalogue availability.
• Oversee supplier data accuracy and maintenance within Basware.
• Conduct data analysis for forecasting, trend identification, and management reporting.
• Support senior management and CCS reporting requirements, including management charge data.

Premarket Engagement

• Providing commercial advice to Defence Digital project delivery teams to influence and inform the sourcing of new goods and services from 3rd parties in accordance with digital category strategies

Sourcing

• Define and run Procurement processes in line with public sector regulations and using agreed tools and systems
• Selecting appropriate suppliers using relevant evaluation criteria and responsible for ensuring value for money for the duration of supplier engagement
• Negotiating favourable terms for pricing and contract terms that deliver immediate and ongoing financial and non-financial benefits for low to medium value/complexity contracts
• Supporting the senior commercial officers in the negotiation of complex contracts
• Hold formal delegated powers of up to £2.5M

Contract Management

• Identification, definition and tracking of financial and non-financial benefits and savings
• Ongoing proactive management of key supplier relationships
• Effective management of full life cycle of the contracts including managing changes and ensuring ongoing value and service quality standards are delivered
• Commercial risk identification, mitigation and management

The post advertised is full time equivalent. There may be opportunities for part time candidates if a job share partnership can be established, subject to full time hours being achievable. Offers made to candidates below 37 hours per week (FTE) will be subject to business need and at the Authority's sole discretion.

As part of flexible resourcing, reserve candidates may be offered alternative roles within DD Commercial teams, although key responsibilities will remain the same.

Person specification

We are looking for a person who demonstrates:

• Experience of working in a commercial role supporting large sourcing projects and high value contract negotiation
• Experience in managing medium complexity/value contracts
• Experience of Category management
• Practical experience in utilising market insight to aid sourcing and contract management
• Robust commercial negotiation of commercial and contractual terms, pricing and discounts
• Practical experience and expertise in Contract management, including managing contracts from contract award to contract closeout
• Experience of Supplier Management, building relationships from outset
• Hold Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply CIPS Level 4,or be willing to achieve this qualification by commencing study once in post. This will be fully funded and supported by MOD.

We are looking for a person who is:

• Collaborative individual with a positive attitude
• Effective communicator, able to clearly articulate messages adapted to the needs of the audience
• Motivates and inspires and has the confidence of the team and their peers
• Build and maintain a working culture of mutual trust and inclusion
• Clear decision maker and takes accountability for decisions made
• Effective at prioritisation and managing workload and time effectively
• Proactive management of team, taking account of views and needs
• Competent and confident in establishing and maintaining professional relationships
• Hold self and others to account

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• People Standards for the Profession - Understanding Needs and Sourcing Options - Commercial Practitioner
• People Standards for the Profession - Contract and Supplier Management - Commercial Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Hybrid working options including some working from home where appropriate, although we expect the role to require office working on 4 days per week
• Commercial Market Skills Allowance of £1500 per annum, payable to staff on completion of CIPS Level 4 and mandatory commercial e-learning courses.
• Fully funded training for professional qualifications with Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), a global membership organisation
• MOD Corsham has on site parking, staff restaurant, coffee shops, sports facilities including fully equipped 24/7 gym for a fraction of the cost of a commercial gym. Classes run daily by fully trained PT instructors. It is a modern building surrounded by countryside, perfect for lunchtimes walks.
• MOD Abbey Wood has very good rail links with a station next to the site. It has on-site parking, staff restaurants and coffee shops, many sports facilities including basketball and badminton, and has a fully equipped gym offering fitness classes. The site is within walking distance of a retail park with restaurants, shops and supermarkets.
• MOD Main Building is situated in a central London location

Where business needs arise, 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.

Interviews will be held from week commencing March 9th 2026 (subject to change) using MS Teams

At application, you will be sifted and scored based on the information supplied in both your CV and Personal Statement.

Please complete the CV section setting out your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements.

You must also complete a Personal Statement (max 1250 words). This is your opportunity to provide us with additional information that highlights relevant achievements and experience, and the required skills and Behaviours listed in this advertisement that make you suitable for the role.

Note: you will NOT be able to attach your CV as a separate document. Applicants may use AI when preparing documents, but the content must be factually accurate. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Behaviours and Technical Skills:

• Changing and Improving
  • work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources
  • clearly explain the reasons for change to colleagues and how to implement them, supporting individuals with different needs to adapt to change
• Making Effective Decisions
  • analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions
  • present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks
• Managing a Quality Service
  • develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence
  • work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales
• Understanding Needs & Sourcing Options
  • Applies the organisation’s commercial strategy and the governance mechanisms that drive it.
  • Manages record-keeping and compliance with process
  • Utilises e-sourcing tools to support an efficient approach to managing sourcing processes
• Contract & Supplier Management
• • Demonstrates that the scale and depth of contract management is dependent on the nature of the contract and its importance to achieving organisational and policy goals.
  • Works alongside other business areas of the business (i.e. operational colleagues) to ensure that through auditing of records and reports regarding the supplier’s performance is completed throughout the contract life.
  • Manage and maintain effective stakeholder relationships and good supplier relationships.

You will have the opportunity to provide further detail supporting your application, specifically relating to the Skills (People Standards for the Profession - Level Commercial Practitioner) and Behaviours (CS Behaviours - Level 3).

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Please read this document prior to completing your application.

Please note: internal candidates must include their staff number when prompted during the application process.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Should you have any queries relating to the vacancy information or sift and interview process, please contact the recruiting line manager using the contact details listed on the vacancy. Please do not direct vacancy related queries to the recruitment team as they will be unable to advise.

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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to 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 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

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : UKStratComDD-CM-COO-Recruitment@mod.gov.uk
• Email : UKStratComDD-CM-COO-Recruitment@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

DD Commercial - candidate pack Jan 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 4938kB)GCF People Standards for the Profession Version 3.0 Opens in new window (pdf, 490kB)Candidate Information updated Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)MOD Candidate Pack 2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)