Category Officer - Application Development

Defra group Commercial are looking to appoint Category Officers to support a variety of customer groups to- Support and lead the delivery of projects, procurements and contract / supplier management roles across an allocated customer category.

• 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 whilst maximising value of money and savings.

Brief Overview

Join Defra’s Technology Category Team and Drive IT Transformation

Be part of a forward-thinking team that is revolutionizing how Defra delivers its IT services — making them simpler, faster, and more sustainable. Working within our Technology Category, you’ll have the chance to make a tangible impact in a dynamic, challenging, and high-profile environment.

Our team is responsible for sourcing a wide range of IT needs across Defra — from user devices and digital applications to connectivity, geospatial, data, and cybersecurity. With a market-focused and agile approach, we stay ahead of emerging technologies and collaborate closely with customers to streamline and consolidate the IT products and services we procure for the entire Defra Group.

The post-holder will be required to award and monitor high value, medium risk contracts in accordance with Defra’s commercial policies and procedures. They will be expected to deliver propriety and value for money whilst applying commercial life-cycle principles.

The work will involve promoting commercial policies and procedures whilst influencing the final outcomes. It includes the provision of expert advice to the business on commercial issues, contract management and governance and operational support to the team.

The Category Officer will report to a Senior Category Officer (SEO) and will undertake activities at the agreed level.

As a vital member of our Technology Commercial Category Team, you will play a key role in delivering low to medium value projects, procurements, and contract/supplier management within an agile, market-facing environment.

Your mission will be to develop and execute commercial strategies that align with the Category Strategy, directly contributing to our overall business success. You will take charge of planning and managing all market engagement activities for your assigned sub-category, fostering strong partnerships both internally and externally.

In this role, you will

Deliver and support in the delivery of projects, procurements with contract and supplier management across the full commercial life cycle providing functional / specialist input to improve ways of working and business change and efficiency.

• Be responsible for explaining specialist commercial guidance to operational teams to influence compliance with Defra policy / legislation / best practice and agreed ways of working and contribute to the delivery of business plans.
• Keep up to date on changing legislation / best practice externally, to inform internal priorities and appropriate alignment.
• Contribute to the development of Defra policy / process at national / local level and monitor and advise on effective implementation in the business, in line with environmental targets.
• Build and sustain effective relationships with operational customers to understand issues and provide effective response / steer for operational needs.
• Train and help others on policies, procedures, practices and techniques equipping them with the knowledge and skills to deliver their work in an effective and efficient manner.
• Support team members to deliver results on time, to required quality standards and cost to fulfil the business plan and achieve / support environmental goals.
• Support the delivery of contracts such that sustainable impacts and opportunities are identified and managed throughout the commercial lifecycle.
• Manage your own resources to meet business needs, including electronic sourcing and contract management applications, to maximise the efficient and effective use of finances and people to ensure that all activities are completed to time, cost and quality targets.
• Support the development of Defra sub-category and category plans and develop your own market category knowledge and expertise.

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