Commercial Officer - Dynamic Software Enterprise Team (DSET)

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence seeks a talented procurement officer for the Dynamic Software Enterprise Team. This role involves managing contracts and suppliers to enhance UK's defence capabilities. You will support procurement processes while working within a dedicated and diverse team, committed to professional development.

Benefits

Fully funded CIPS qualification

Flexible working options

On-site gym and sports facilities

Civil Service pension contribution

Market Skills Allowance

Qualifications

• Previous experience of sourcing and managing contracts.
• Ability to analyse and draft contractual wording.
• Experience in category management.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement processes in line with public sector regulations.
• Prepare tendering activities and manage supplier relationships.
• Negotiate terms and ensure ongoing value from contracts.

Skills

Communication

Decision Making

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Skills

Education

CIPS Level 4

Job description

Details Reference number: 405862

Salary: £29,580 + ACivil Service Pensionwith an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade: Executive Officer

Contract type: Permanent

Business area: MOD - Strategic Command - Defence Digital Commercial

Type of role: Commercial, Procurement and Contracts Management

Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available: 1

Location

MOD Corsham (SN13 9ET) as base location. This job role is suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (the permanent duty station), which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

About the job 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 Commercialis 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).

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Dynamic Software Enterprise Team (DSET) is an agile, forward-thinking team that is responsible for procuring cutting-edge software products and services that directly support and enhance the UK’s defence capabilities. Operating with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and pace, DSET works across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to deliver solutions for our end users.

DSET is the central authority for managing and delivering pan-MOD Software Enterprise Agreements, acting as the MOD’s trusted interface with leading global software suppliers. We forge and nurture long-term strategic partnerships with top-tier Suppliers, enabling the MOD to access best-in-class technologies and licensing models at optimal value. Through these agreements, we deliver consistent, enterprise-wide access to key digital capabilities that power critical defence functions

We operate within a digital space that has both huge scale and unique opportunities not found in any other UK organisations providing real potential for personal growth and development. The services are vital to the UK and its partners, so the roles are hugely important and fulfilling.

Key responsibilities:

Pre-market engagement

• Supporting Category management procurement processes in line with public sector regulations and using agreed tools and systems

Sourcing

• Working with the team to prepare tendering activities including the generation of tender documentation, contract management plans, and other associated documentation.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to gather requirements information and gain an understanding of demand profiles.
• Assist in the selection of appropriate suppliers using relevant evaluation criteria and responsible for ensuring value for money for the duration of supplier engagement
• Working within a team to negotiate favourable terms for pricing and contract terms that deliver immediate and ongoing financial and non-financial benefits
• Supporting senior commercial officers in the negotiation of complex contracts

Contract Management

• 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.
• Perform administrative tasks in line with the delivery of commitments within the Software Enterprise perimeter and contribute to Management Information and associated reporting within the required time-frames.

Change, Policy & SME Advice

• Supporting continuous improvement and change management
• Providing advice on commercial policies and processes to other teams for g. delivery group
• Ensure compliance with commercial regulatory requirements and policies

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

• Previous experience of sourcing, delivering, and managing simple contracts.
• Good influencing and communication skills
• Awareness of Category Management
• Confident with making decisions and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to manage competing priorities
• Ability to analyse, interpret and draft contractual wording with a strong attention to detail
• Ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to work with and motivate others.

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.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 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
• ACivil Service pensionwith 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.
• MOD Corsham is a modern building surrounded by countryside, perfect for lunchtimes walks.

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 athttps://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.

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