Category Manager – Procurement Manager

Overview

As a Procurement Manager (Category Manager – Capex) you will oversee and optimise procurement processes within the manufacturing sector, ensuring cost efficiency and supplier relationship management.

Hybrid work model: one day per week in the Leeds office, with home working and site visits as required.

Responsibilities

• Own the commercial delivery and supplier performance across capital expenditure and capital project categories.
• Develop and implement category strategies across Capex spend, covering manufacturing equipment, engineering services, and construction/civils.
• Drive value creation through effective sourcing, negotiation, and supplier selection, balancing cost, quality, and service.
• Identify and execute cost‑saving and value‑optimisation opportunities across projects and the wider portfolio.
• Build strong relationships with engineering, project, and site teams to understand requirements and influence decision‑making.
• Act as a trusted commercial advisor, challenging requirements and promoting best practice procurement behaviours.
• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities for capital projects, including RFQs, tenders, negotiations, and contract awards.
• Project‑manage procurement workstreams across multiple concurrent Capex initiatives, ensuring alignment of stakeholders, clear timelines, and delivery against business objectives.
• Negotiate and implement robust contracts tailored to project requirements, including appropriate risk mitigation and service levels.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance, ensuring delivery against contractual obligations and resolving issues proactively to minimise risk.
• Drive standardisation and consistency across procurement processes and supplier engagement, and support wider procurement transformation initiatives.
• Analyse spend data and market trends to inform sourcing strategies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in indirect procurement with a strong focus on Capex, capital projects, engineering, or construction categories.
• Strong understanding of commercial contracting; knowledge of JCT contracts is desirable.
• Demonstrated capability in negotiation, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship‑building skills.
• Degree calibre or equivalent experience; CIPS training sponsorship available.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across manufacturing sites, including commuting to Leeds one day a week.

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £60,000 plus car allowance and bonus.
• Exposure to procurement operations within the dynamic FMCG sector.
• Collaborative and professional work environment with ample opportunities for career development.
• Flexibility to work across different sectors with experience managing Capex spend.

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