Commercial Category Manager Apprentice

Description

phone number removed) Commercial Category Manager Apprentice

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 26th January 2026

Location: Swansea (Hybrid)

Salary: £35,663 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%. A non-pensionable Recruitment and Retention Allowance of up to £4,000 is available upon achieving MCIPS qualification

Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time

Available positions: 2

The purpose of this role is to provide DVSA with an exemplar commercial experience in line with Government Commercial Function (GCF) best practice.

The Commercial Category Manager 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.

The role holder will be part of be an integral category team responsible for the end-to-end commercial cycle of a category/s. The role holder will support their team through the transition from a disaggregated approach to the commercial cycle to the full introduction of Commercial Category Management.

DVSA has the following categories:

* Goods & Services

* Estates

* Professional Services

* Digital services & technology

* Fleet & Travel

* Theory Test

This particular role will initially operate in a defined category; specific category will be assigned on appointment. We are looking for dynamic individuals, and it is expected that over time staff will be able to operate in any given category.

Top Responsibilities

* Supporting the leadership team as they work to embed the new DVSA Commercial Strategy and the introduction of a Category Management approach, and year on year improvements thereafter, this will include the development, planning, delivery, management, and continuous improvement of their assigned commercial category.

* Providing advice on the latest developments in public sector procurement in relation to their assigned category.

* Providing commercial guidance and advice to the business in relation to their assigned category.

* Using sound presentation and communication skills.

Benefits

* 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).

* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.

* Access to the staff discount portal.

* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.

* Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.

* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About you

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

* Experience of engaging and collaborating with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

* Ability to organise time and conflicting priorities.

* Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

* High level of attention to detail.

Essential qualifications:

Must hold 5 grade A-C/level 4 GCSE's to include Maths and English (or equivalent)

​​​Must hold a level 3 qualification (e.g. 2 A Levels or extended BTEC)

You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must:

* Be aged 18 or over

* Must hold 5 grade A-C/level 4 GCSE's to include Maths and English (or equivalent)

* Must hold a level 3 qualification (e.g. 2 A Levels or BTEC)

* Have the right work in the UK.

* Not be in full-time education.

* Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes at the point of enrolment for this apprenticeship.

* Have valid and eligible residency status and be resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship and meet the requirements for apprenticeship funding in Wales. If you currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher, then you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy. To be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills. Additionally, you must not already be over-qualified or over-experienced in this type of work.

If you apply and are found to possess the above: your application will not be considered; any offer of employment will be withdrawn, and your contract will be terminated.

This apprenticeship is expected to start April 2026 so the successful candidate will need to be available then. xjnqpsq

How to Apply

Read the full job description and apply at Civil Service Jobs using the link provided.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 26th January 2026

Ad ID: 5417708790