Category Manager Internal Relations

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a X2 Category Manager Internal Relations (Inside IR35) for a hybrid contract based out of London or Bristol until 31/3/27.

The successful candidates for this role must be willing to travel between Bristol and London x1 day per week and to other NATO sites or even some travel abroad maybe requested.

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.

As a Category Manager Internal Relations, your main responsibilities will be:

• Embed category management principles across MOD programmes and delivery.
• Identify and prioritise category management opportunities to improve pace, availability, innovation and through-life costs.
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to customer needs, market insight, NATO priorities and UK Defence strategy.
• Build strong market, supplier and category insight to inform strategic decisions.
• Act as the category expert, providing direction and challenging established approaches.
• Drive innovation and value by influencing stakeholders and the external supply market.
• Partner with MOD stakeholders and delivery teams to secure buy-in and successful strategy implementation.
• Support delivery teams in implementing agreed category recommendations and actions.
• Build stakeholder understanding of the value and benefits of category management.
• Lead and support junior Category Management colleagues where required.
• Work collaboratively across MSHQ, Front Line Commands, NAD, Defence Nuclear Enterprise and NATO

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

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Highly skilled at senior-level stakeholder engagement and influencing.
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills.
• Strong enquiry, probing and information-gathering skills.
• Confident storyteller, able to turn complex information into a compelling narrative.
• Strong data analysis and synthesis, turning multiple inputs into clear themes and strategic ideas.
• Proven international relationship management experience.
• Credibility and gravitas to operate with senior MOD and NATO stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to influence direction and build stakeholder support.
• Relationship and strategy focused, rather than transactional sourcing or operational procurement.

Previous strategic Defence experience, including supply chain exposure.

• Proven ability to navigate and understand complex environments.

Desirable

• Defence and/or NATO experience highly advantageous.
• Ability to communicate in French, Italian or another relevant NATO-country language would be an advantage.

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

Disability Confident

As a Disability Confident employer, the MOD 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

As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the MOD 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.