Technology Procurement Manager

Job summary

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.

We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

Find out more about DDTS:

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Job description

Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is responsible for delivering secure, sustainable and reliable technology services across the Defra Group.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and commercially-minded Technology Procurement Manager to join our growing Technology Procurement Team. This is a unique opportunity to help shape some of the largest and most complex technology procurements in government, supporting services that underpin critical operational and digital capabilities across Defra.

Working closely with DDTS Service Owners, Supplier Managers, Defra Commercial, architects, security specialists and senior stakeholders, you will help deliver procurement activity covering areas such as cloud services, hosting, networks, collaboration platforms, service management tooling, cyber security and major digital transformation programmes.

The successful candidate will support procurement projects from initial market engagement through to contract award, mobilisation and supplier onboarding. You will also help develop standards, governance and best practice across DDTS, ensuring contracts deliver value for money, innovation, sustainability and long-term business outcomes.

Person specification

Responsibilities:

• Supporting medium and large-scale technology procurements from strategy through to contract award. Developing procurement documentation, requirements, evaluation criteria and supplier engagement activities.
• Working with technical, security and service management teams to shape sourcing strategies and procurement approaches.
• Managing market engagement and supplier interactions to understand emerging technologies and best practice. Supporting evaluation, moderation and governance activities for complex procurements.
• Supporting the maintenance of the DDTS procurement pipeline and associated reporting.
• Helping to embed supplier management, social value and sustainability requirements within procurements.
• Supporting supplier onboarding, mobilisation and transition activities following contract award.
• Contributing to the development of the DDTS Technology Procurement knowledge base, templates and governance standards.

Skills and experience:

We are looking for someone who can combine commercial awareness with an understanding of technology and digital services. You will ideally have:

• Experience supporting procurement, contract management or supplier management activities.
• A strong interest in technology, digital services or IT-enabled business change.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to deliver outcomes in a complex environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret information and make recommendations.
• An understanding of supplier governance, risk management and value for money principles.
• Experience of working in a multi-supplier environment would be advantageous.
• Awareness of public sector procurement, commercial frameworks or contract management approaches would be beneficial.

Selection process

The Civil Service marks each element of the selection process on a merit basis. You can visit the gov.uk website for further information on the Civil Service rating scale.

Ensure you have tailored your CV and Personal Statement to the 'skills and experience' section of the job advert by providing examples on how you are suitable for the role using the STAR method.

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements, as the information you provide will form a key part when the panel is scoring your application.

For further information on STAR, you can check out our Hints and Tips document.

Application process

As part of the application process, you will be assessed on your experience. This will be evaluated by looking at your CV and personal statement, so please provide the following and ensure your experience is clearly demonstrated:

A CV
A 500-word Personal Statement: Referring to the 'skills and experience' sections of the job advert, please demonstrate how you are suitable for the role by providing relevant examples.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Sift will begin shortly after the advert closes.

Should there be a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted using your personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment or interview.

Interview

If successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours and listed below, as well as Experience and Strengths.

Interview dates are to be confirmed. Please note that these may be subject to change.

Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams.

For further information on Success Profiles, you can visit the links below and watch our videos on DefraJobs.

Behaviours