Head of Category Management – Theory Test
| Posting date: | 25 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £57,515 per year |
| Additional salary information: | This role attracts an additional allowance of up to £4,000 per annum, for Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS), depending on level of qualification. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 March 2026 |
| Location: | Nottingham |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 450779/3 |
Summary
Have you successfully delivered category management strategies in a public sector environment which have led to great outcomes for both the commercial function and the wider business.
Are you an experienced commercial professional, that has delivered on key strategic procurements.
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Commercial Category Management within our Finance, Commercial and Assurance Directorate.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - Department for Transport Careers
The Head of Commercial Category Management will deliver an effective, and improving, commercial service covering all aspects of the commercial cycle, including pre-procurement and market engagement activity, procurement and contract management and benefits realisation.
This post sits within the Commercial team to support the procurement of the Theory Test (TT). The TT contracts are valued at approximately £450 million, representing a significant investment for DVSA and a critical component of our statutory public service.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Leading the Theory Test Commercial Category Management Team responsible for c£450m of spend. Contributing to the delivery of annual Commercial and Efficiency savings targets.
- Demonstrating leadership, executing management responsibilities effectively, working with, leading and acting as a role model for team members and colleagues, ensuring capability to achieve successful commercial outcomes delivery throughout the commercial cycle.
- Providing current and relevant advice on the latest developments in public sector procurement.
- Leading in the development of the Commercial Team in line with CO Procurement Skills and Competencies Framework through a Commercial Skills and Capability Review and Training Plan.
- Utilising own skills to develop and mentor others working in the DVSA Commercial Team and wider DVSA, ensuring a positive, professional influence.
- Deputising for the Head of Commercial as appropriate.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
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