On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Category Manager (x5) - Inside IR35 for a 6 month (possible extension) working on a Hybrid basis - 1 day per week in Bristol Abbey Wood (Wednesdays) then further attendance as and when required.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence, as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.
The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management.
The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.
To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.
The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.
The main duties and responsibilities of the Category Manager would be to:
- Develop, maintain and continuously improve category strategies that align with MOD objectives, Defence priorities, NATO-first principles and value for money outcomes.
- Work with senior stakeholders across portfolios, commissioning teams and delivery functions to identify, prioritise and shape category opportunities and future requirements.
- Build comprehensive market intelligence through supplier engagement, market analysis, benchmarking and industry insight to inform strategic decision-making.
- Lead the development of category plans, ensuring risks, opportunities, resource requirements and implementation considerations are clearly defined.
- Act as the category subject matter expert, providing commercial advice, challenging assumptions and identifying innovative solutions to complex business needs.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, industry partners and internal stakeholders to influence outcomes and drive adoption of category management principles.
- Support delivery teams with the implementation of category strategies, ensuring agreed recommendations translate into measurable business benefits.
- Promote best practice, continuous improvement and capability development across the category management function, including coaching and supporting junior team members where required.
Essential:
- Experience within one or more strategically important category areas is highly desirable, including Lethality and Weapons Systems, Marine and Naval programmes (e.g. shipbuilding, Fleet support, Babcock, BAE Systems), Strategic Materials and Critical Supply Chains (e.g. mining, rare earth elements and industrial materials), Directs categories, or Operational categories, with the ability to apply category management principles within complex, high-value and mission-critical environments.
- Proven track record of delivering Category Management strategies and benefits within complex, large-scale or project-based organisations.
- Strong understanding of end-to-end commercial lifecycle management, including market engagement, market analysis, benchmarking and supply chain management.
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and suppliers to achieve commercial outcomes in complex environments.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to assess market dynamics, business requirements, value for money and return on investment.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make evidence-based strategic recommendations.
- Demonstrable experience assessing risks, evaluating options and making sound commercial decisions while balancing competing priorities.
- Proven leadership and people management capability, including coaching, developing and motivating teams to achieve successful outcomes.
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building skills, with the credibility and resilience to operate effectively at senior levels.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the MOD guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
The MOD guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our 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.
