ID 3502

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

Vacancy title

Senior Category Manager - SEO X3

Closing date

13/03/2026, 16:00

Advertising basis

Permanent

Actual starting salary

£47,675

Salary range or pay band

SEO £47,675 to £56,445

Allowances

Yes

Allowance

Procurement Allowance

Work pattern

Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)

Group

Corporate Services and Inspectorates

Directorate

Commercial and Procurement

Branch

Procurement Delivery

Location (s)

Pan Wales

‘Pan Wales’ means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs.

A list of the Welsh Government’s offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.

The post holder’s travel from their home to their assigned Welsh Government office is considered their ‘ordinary commute’ and must be done in their own time and at their own cost.

Purpose of post

The Welsh Government Procurement Delivery Team (WGPD) directly influences procurement expenditure of circa £1.2 billion. Supporting a blend of Welsh Government specific Procurement, and a wider programme of Welsh public sector collaborative agreements, it delivers policy direction, access to information, best practice, guidance and technical expertise in procurement and contract management across the organisation and the wider Welsh public sector.

Delivered through a category management portfolio, the Welsh Government Procurement Delivery team (WGPD) seeks to deliver effective commercial outcomes through greater efficiency, supporting the Welsh economy, and embracing the Well-being of Future Generations Act through the Wales Procurement Policy Statement. The WGPD is part of the Procurement & Commercial Directorate.

Reporting directly to the Commercial Lead the post holder has a key role in the achievement of the overall goals of the WGPD through delivery of a programme of procurement activity across the category.

Key tasks

Maintaining knowledge and practical delivery of key legislation, PCR 2015, Procurement Act 2023, WBFGA 2015, Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act 2023 as well as the Wales Procurement Policy Statement.
The post holder will be responsible for management of procurement processes, in the range of the FTS threshold to £200 million per annum which shall include; FTS noticing requirements, setting and agreeing tender strategies, supplier engagement, tender evaluation, contract award, and handling contractual changes, whilst ensuring clear approval mechanisms and controls are in place to demonstrate value for money.
Identify innovative category strategies and different approaches to procurement that achieve optimum value for money in line with Welsh procurement policy, including maximising the benefit to the economy of Wales utilising market analysis. Strategies should include designing structured project plans setting and delivering target milestones, prioritising tasks, establishing project teams, identifying and managing risk, and evaluating and communicating outcomes and benefits. Early identification and resolution of problems.
Utilise SAP reports, Atamis and other sources of information to challenge areas of non compliance with existing contracts both within the Welsh Government and the wider Welsh public sector
For wider collaborative procurement activity, ongoing management of the procurement category including contract/framework management, Supplier management, MI collection, catalogue management, price reviews, contract negotiation and management of legal issues.
Use market knowledge and research to develop benefits realisation plans and benchmarking for customers.
Make a significant contribution to the building of a culture of continuous improvement within the Procurement & Commercial Directorate.
Communicating key messages and persuading audiences through public speaking, presentations, designing and running workshops, publishing written reports and organising publicity.
Being able and confident to challenge ‘the way we do things’ – in a constructive, non-confrontational manner. As a result, is able to convince others to pilot or adopt alternative viewpoints and solutions and stimulate change.
Line management, mentoring and coaching team members on policies, procedures, practices and techniques equipping them with the knowledge and skills to deliver.
Represent WGPD on Welsh Government project boards as directed by the Commercial Lead – Category Management.
Review departure requests and assess based on business and procurement compliance risk, making a decision whether to approve or submit procurement advice recommendation to CGU.
Deputise for the Commercial Lead – Category Management at meetings and events as and when necessary.

Development opportunities

The high profile of the Commercial Procurement function means that there is exposure to senior officials in the Welsh Government, colleagues from across the whole of the public sector in Wales and a varied range of business representatives.

This post offers the opportunity to become part of a team of procurement professionals within Welsh Government and the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills within a very customer focused team. Development opportunities will also be available within the procurement field. Procurement training will be made available to the successful applicant, and they will be offered the chance to continue their professional training to the required level, once established within the post.

Other vacancy related information

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
A presentation on the Experience criteria will be required at Interview stage. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.
We will hold an information session for these posts 04/03/26. To register your interest and to be added to the Teams event, please email CPD.BusinessSupport@gov.wales
Two of the posts are within our Construction and Facilities Category, while the third is within our People and Corporate Services Category. Though please note this may be subject to change.
Applicants must be MCIPS qualified (at least level 4), or BSc Quantity Surveying or actively studying towards this.

Vetting level

Basic

Number of posts

Contact point for further information regarding the post

Lisa Thomas-Lewis cpsprocurementadvice@gov.wales

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