Category Lead

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 312592**Salary**:

- £52,000 - £63,495- Plus £1750 Location Allowance- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**:

- Grade 7**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Type of role**:

- Other**Working pattern**:

- Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Hanslope, South East England, MK19 7BHAbout the job

**Job summary**:
Category Lead - ICT
£52,000 - £63,495 plus allowance of up to £7K depending on qualifications and experience Based at Hanslope Park near Milton Keynes, MK19 7BH

There is a pay award pending which is currently being negotiated with the Trades Unions. It’s proposed as part of the offer that our pay ranges will be adjusted with salary mínima’s being uplifted by between 4.5% and 8.6% depending on grade. Details will be confirmed once the pay award is agreed

At FCDO Services we’re experts in providing secure ICT systems and solutions for government-level customers, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It’s how we help to keep people, information and assets safe every day, right across the globe. So whether we’re fitting embassies with cutting-edge security systems or hosting sensitive information safely in the Cloud, our work is both vital and wide ranging.
To achieve all this, our ICT procurement category needs to meet exceptionally high standards - which is where you’ll come in. As one of our senior leadership team, we’ll turn to you to set the overall category strategy, making sure we’re meeting our government customers’ exacting needs, both now and in the future.
Shape ICT category strategy with global impact
You’ll head up the team procuring any technical and ICT related products or services needed across FCDO Services. It could be hardware, software, specialist equipment - anything that’s required to deliver the very best results for our customers. You’ll support and guide the team so they can manage this ICT procurement and any supplier relationships more effectively, while you collaborate closely with the wider business to shape category strategy that has impact across continents.

**Job description**:
That means understanding FCDO Services’ future ICT requirements, and keeping an eye on the bigger picture. You’ll be on the pulse of what’s happening across different teams, able to manage risk and spot opportunities in the supply chain. The ultimate aim? To make sure we’re getting the right ICT services and products, at the right time, at the right price.

Empower your team - and deliver for people everywhere
Thanks to the ever-evolving nature of our work, we need someone who’s practical, proactive and flexible. Calling upon your extensive ICT procurement experience, you’ll be able to adapt to change and make sure everything is still delivered to the highest standards. Plus, all this will be complemented by an MCIPS professional qualification, or equivalent experience and knowledge.
Use excellent communication skills to help protect the UK’s interests
You’ll have a knack for building positive relationships with stakeholders and suppliers alike, helping you to quickly establish yourself as a trusted expert. Not only that, you’ll confidently navigate complex projects and manage expectations around FCDO Services. It’s all part of how you’ll uphold our customer service promise - to be reliable, responsive and build relationships.
This is a senior role packed with responsibility, and there’s plenty to look forward to. First, there’s the excellent benefits, including a Civil Service pension. Then just think of the variety day-to-day, working on unique challenges with diverse products - and getting excellent training along the way. Finally, there’s that sense of purpose: using your skills to maintain a business that helps protect people, information and assets all around the world. In short, it’s your job, bigger.

Hanslope Park based posts attract a Location Allowance of £1,750 per annum.

FCDO Services are regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

**Person specification**:

- MCIPS qualifications or equivalent experience- Extensive experience of procurement, contract management, managing supplier relationships,

developing strategic solutions, risk management and working knowledge of Strategic Programs- Knowledge of UK procurement regulations and corporate governance
- Strong communicating, influencing and senior management/stakeholder engagement skills
- Develop ICT Category Strategies in partnership with all business areas, to ensure short and long-term

business strategy sourcing and management requirements are met using cost-effective solutions- Lead on new initiatives and strategic pillars within the ICT area, and lead and manage all new

Partnerships within ICT; advise on best practice and strategic methodology- Strategically consider different