Commercial Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Commercial function.
Working in this position, you will be contributing to the procurement and management of contracts and suppliers that provide the Department with the external services and expertise it requires. You will be playing your part in to fulfilling the mission of DBT to be the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.
You will have the opportunity to work directly with the department and with suppliers in the delivery of your work and be exposed to an exhilarating, challenging and diverse range of commercial challenges. You’ll also benefit from access to our corporate subscription to CIPS, providing a wide range of learning opportunities and access to a global network of commercial professionals and expertise., + Supporting delivery of a category strategy for the relevant category team
+ Undertake end-to-end procurements, including those subject to Public Contracts Regulations and the new Procurement Act 2023.
+ Support the Commercial Lead for the category in commercial leadership across the organisation, both in the UK and DBT’s overseas network through key initiatives ensuring best practice and delivery of savings.
+ Maintain a thorough understanding of your customers business and culture, supporting them in your role as commercial manager, helping to embed good contract management practices.
+ Implement, manage, improve, and promote the use of systems, tools and data management to create useful management information to support the business in spend in your category.
+ Ensure communication is audience focused, clear, concise, and consistent to assist understanding and support for policy / process change and ensure implementation is positive and consistent.
+ Support and provide leadership to deliver effective results on time, to required quality standards and cost, to fulfil the business plan and achieve/ support environmental goals.
+ Conduct regular supplier relationship analysis and benchmarking activities
+ Develop detailed knowledge of the obligations within DBT contracts, maintaining knowledge of the levers, performance standards, and KPIs etc. contained within.
+ Advise and support the business and internal stakeholders responding accurately with reference to contractual issues in a timely manner, seeking support when required., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
+ A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the Essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
+ A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the Essential criteria.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. .
Location and working arrangements
This role is available in seven UK locations and can only be worked from within the UK, not overseas. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DBT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
+ A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
+ Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
+ The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
+ New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
+ Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
+ A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
+ Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
+ Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role., Successful candidates must undergo a 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 the Civil 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Substantial experience managing in a goods and services procurement or contract management environment.
+ A proven track record of setting high standards and delivering results in a complex and demanding procurement function.
+ Able to analyse and apply essential procurement techniques and research skills to investigate supply markets, suppliers, and commodities.
+ Experience of working as an expert or lead role in the application of procurement tools and undertaking strategic procurement exercises to improve value for money.
+ Significant experience in establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with internal and external customers and stakeholders, and the ability to influence stakeholders and procurement decisions
Desirable criteria
+ A member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or can evidence excellent commercial experience and skills.
+ Experience of line management.
Personal attributes & skills
We are looking for a motivated individual, with a desire to learn about the department. They should be able to demonstrate that they’re an excellent team player and leader with a strong customer focus. They should have strong interpersonal skills and be adept at tailoring messages for different audiences. Candidates should be self-starters comfortable with managing multiple projects concurrently with the ability to manage and prioritise personal workload., + Delivering at Pace
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Procurement Process, Understanding Needs and Sourcing Options

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,633 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 27%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.