Commercial Category Manager

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On behalf of FCDO, we are looking for a Commercial Category Manager (Inside IR35) for a contract Until the end of March 2027 (Likely extension) based in London, Milton Keynes or Glasgow with 60% office attendance Hybrid .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty, and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

As a Commercial Category Manager , your main responsibilities will be:

- Lead the development and delivery of category strategies across hardware, software, cloud and technology services.
- Manage a forward pipeline of commercial activity, ensuring alignment to business priorities and procurement regulations.
- Deliver end-to-end procurements under both PCR15 and the Procurement Act 2023.
- Develop sourcing strategies, procurement documentation, evaluation models and commercial recommendations.
- Lead market engagement activities and provide commercial insight on supplier and technology markets.
- Manage framework call-offs, mini-competitions and direct awards through CCS and other public sector frameworks.
- Provide commercial advice and challenge to senior stakeholders on procurement strategy, risk and value for money.
- Prepare and present business cases, sourcing strategies and governance approvals.
- Ensure compliance with commercial governance, procurement legislation and audit requirements.
- Identify, assess and mitigate commercial, contractual and supplier risks.
- Support supplier performance management and commercial lifecycle activities.
- Collaborate with Finance, Legal, Security, Architecture and Digital teams to deliver effective commercial solutions.
- Promote best practice in category management , commercial assurance and Procurement Act 2023 implementation.
- Support capability development and provide coaching across the commercial function.
- Contribute to digital transformation and technology-enabled programmes through effective commercial leadership

PLEASE NOTE: SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Essential:

- Active SC Clearance
- Demonstrable experience leading complex , high-value procurement and commercial activities within the public sector.
- Strong knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR15) and Procurement Act 2023.
- Experience operating within a dual-regime procurement environment.
- Proven category management experience within Digital, Data & Technology (DDaT), Technology Services, Software, Hardware or Cloud categories.
- Strong understanding of public sector procurement frameworks, including G-Cloud, Digital Outcomes and CCS frameworks.
- Experience delivering end-to-end procurements from business case development through to contract award.
- Knowledge of commercial governance processes, approvals and assurance requirements.
- Experience developing sourcing strategies and conducting market engagement activities.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at senior leadership level.
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation and risk management capability.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience preparing and presenting business cases, commercial strategies and governance papers.

Desirable:

- MCIPS qualification or equivalent professional accreditation.
- Experience working within central government or large public sector organisations, with knowledge of Government Commercial Function playbooks and procurement policies.
- Experience delivering commercial activities for cloud transformation, digital technology or large-scale change programmes.
- Understanding of supplier performance management , contract management and emerging technology procurement, including AI governance and assurance considerations

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, FCDO encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant / Commitment

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, FCDO welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".