Category Officer

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.

DEFRA comprises of the Environment Agency, Food Standards Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Forestry Commission, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Natural England and Veterinary Medicines Directorate to name a few.

Our broad remit means they play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.

About the Team and What They Do

The Environmental Goods & Services category (EGS) currently accounts for approximately 20% of Defra's entire annual expenditure.

Spend through the team is set to increase to GBP600m a year because of new post-EU domestic successor fund arrangements.

The EGS Category delivers contracts for research, surveillance monitoring services and equipment and clean up materials. Expert advice and technical support on environmental matters, laboratory equipment and maintenance, including veterinary and disease control services.

With fragmented reactive spend across a diverse customer group, there is real opportunity for leveraging spend and bringing services, customers and suppliers together to deliver more value for Defra.

In this role you will play an active part to ensure that DEFRA is a best in class department; you will be collaborating closely with major suppliers and senior stakeholders to challenge traditional ways of thinking and proactively engaging with suppliers to ensure that DEFRA is at the forefront of innovation and ways of working.

The EGS Category sits within Defra group Commercial (DgC) which is responsible for GBP2-GBP4bn annual expenditure, with a team of circa 200 commercial professionals.

The group is growing to meet the needs of customers and an increasing spend portfolio. DgC provide commercial services to organisations within the Defra Network.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Leading the award and monitoring medium value/risk contracts in accordance with Defra's commercial policies and procedures, whilst applying the full Commercial DNA. And supporting others on higher value/risk contracts.
• Support the management and development of key supplier relationships to deliver exceptional performance in cost, service and quality.
• Build and sustain effective relationships with category customers.
• Provide day to day advice on commercial issues and governance across the relevant category, taking full account of risk, exploiting commercial opportunities and maximising value of money and savings.

Required Skills and Experience

• Leading and implementing medium sized (GBP50k - GBP500k) procurements projects through the end-to-end lifecycle - design (strategy and market engagement), procure and contract award.
• Builds relationships and has experience of influencing stakeholders in a commercial environment.
• Identifies business needs and manages procurement pipelines.
• Provides advice and support on specification development, basic procurement strategies and pricing models, planning and implementation of procurement plans.
• Experience of leading contract award negotiations and resolving dispute resolutions through negotiation.
• Identifying opportunities for efficiency gains and sustainability benefits and delivering significant savings.

Benefits of the Role:

• Flexible Working- Variations in your hours from day to day, suiting your needs, and where this is compatible with business needs.
• An Amazing Pension Scheme- Defra will make an employer contribution of between 26.6% and 27.9% dependent on your pensionable salary.
• Volunteering Each year- You will be entitled to three 3 days special leave with pay to volunteer.
• Staff Bonuses and Recognitions- Staff Recognition Scheme, and in-year awards to reward exemplary work.
• Growth and Development- Civil Servants are encouraged to have a minimum of five days of learning and development each year.
• Mentoring and Coaching- You will have the opportunity to voluntarily engage and work confidentially with a mentor or coach
• Immense job satisfaction - In this role you will make a geniune positive impact of your community.

Benefits of the Role:

• Flexible Working- Variations in your hours from day to day, suiting your needs, and where this is compatible with business needs.
• An Amazing Pension Scheme- Defra will make an employer contribution of between 26.6% and 27.9% dependent on your pensionable salary.
• Volunteering Each year- You will be entitled to three 3 days special leave with pay to volunteer.
• Staff Bonuses and Recognitions- Staff Recognition Scheme, and in-year awards to reward exemplary work.
• Growth and Development- Civil Servants are encouraged to have a minimum of five days of learning and development each year.
• Mentoring and Coaching- You will have the opportunity to voluntarily engage and work confidentially with a mentor or coach
• Immense job satisfaction - In this role you will make a geniune positive impact of your community.