Head of Category, ICT

Essex Police

. Manage commercial disciplines within the ICT and Corporate category across seven forces .

Posted 10/27/2026full-timeUnited KingdomLead💰 £66,996 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing commercial disciplines within ICT and Corporate categories, leading strategic contract management, and conducting complex negotiations. Proven ability to provide expert commercial and legal advice while ensuring compliance and value-for-money solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Strategic Contract ManagementSupplier Relationship ManagementComplex NegotiationsMarket ResearchProcurement Pipeline Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Contract TenderingRisk ManagementCategory Strategy DevelopmentSupplier Performance MonitoringCommercial AdviceNegotiation SkillsProject Value AssessmentWork AllocationSustainability SolutionsInnovation in Procurement

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingInfluencing SkillsTeam ManagementCommunication SkillsLeadership

Certifications & Qualifications

Security ClearanceVetting Requirements

Industry Keywords

ICTCorporate ProcurementCommercial DisciplinesPublic Sector ProcurementBlue-Light OrganisationsOperational Policing ObjectivesUK Residency Requirements

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage commercial disciplines within the ICT and Corporate category across seven forces
Manage and allocate the procurement work pipeline according to project value, risk and complexity
Allocate suppliers to Supplier Relationship Managers based on contract criticality, risk, value and complexity
Prioritise work for the Strategic Commercial Solutions Manager based on regional priorities and anticipated benefits
Direct market research, category strategy development, contract opportunity identification, risk management, supplier and contract performance monitoring, and contract tendering
Deliver legally compliant, value-for-money solutions incorporating sustainability and innovation
Lead ‘Gold’ level procurements across the seven forces
Lead strategic contract management and supplier relationship activities
Provide regular category updates to senior commercial leaders and decision makers
Build relationships with ICT and Corporate stakeholders, peers and national blue-light organisations
Provide expert commercial and legal advice to OPCC and Chief Officer teams
Manage complex negotiations and disputes and resolve contractual claims
Represent the seven forces and participate in nationally led initiatives
Ensure procurement pipelines reflect business priorities and contracts support operational policing objectives
Prepare accurate and timely information for senior leadership and governance boards
Support and manage the commercial category team, including well-being, objectives and professional development
Maintain regular communication with other commercial teams and support colleagues
Travel across all seven forces

Requirements

What you’ll need

Experience, skills and abilities meeting the criteria in the job description
Ability to manage multiple commercial disciplines within ICT and Corporate categories
Ability to manage procurement pipelines across seven forces
Ability to allocate work based on value, risk and complexity
Expertise in market research, category strategy, contract opportunities, risk management, supplier and contract performance monitoring, and tendering
Ability to lead ‘Gold’ level procurements
Expertise in strategic contract management and supplier relationship management
Ability to provide expert commercial and legal advice
Ability to manage complex commercial negotiations and disputes
Ability to interact with senior-level management and influence external bodies
Ability to manage relationships with budget holders, operational contract owners and internal stakeholders
Ability to support and manage a commercial category team, including health, well-being, objectives and professional development
Ability to travel across all seven forces
Ability to undergo required vetting and security clearance
If not from the UK, must be a UK resident and have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years
Must be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain, where applicable
UK applicants must have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years, except those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces

Benefits

Comp & perks

Working from home
Full-time permanent employment
Mon-Fri working pattern
No weekend/evening working
Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme for eligible candidates
Reasonable adjustments and application support
Supportive working arrangements and/or working environment adjustments where reasonable