Strategic Category Manager
Hybrid working (3 days onsite in Oxford, 2 days WFH)
Bonus (10-20% based on company and individual performance) Private Healthcare 6% Pension
Shape the Future of a High-Impact Global Supply Chain
Are you a commercially minded procurement professional who thrives on building robust sourcing strategies, developing supplier partnerships, and driving tangible business value?
We are seeking an ambitious Strategic Category Manager to join a growing procurement function and take ownership of critical direct supply chain categories. This is an outstanding opportunity to influence supplier strategy, mitigate risk,optimisecost, and ensure supply continuity across a technologically advanced manufacturing environment.
Strategic Category Manager
The Opportunity
As a Strategic Category Manager, you will lead the development and execution of category and sourcing strategies across a complex supply chain. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening supplier performance, improving service levels, reducing operational risk, and delivering sustainable commercial outcomes.
This is a highly visible role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on supplier and stakeholder management, offering genuine scope to make a lasting impact on business performance.
Strategic Category Manager
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement category sourcing strategies aligned to businessobjectives.
- Lead end-to-end procurement activities, including RFIs, RFQs, negotiations, and contract management.
- Build andmaintainstrong supplier relationships, driving performance across quality, cost, delivery, and risk measures.
- Monitor market and commodity trends toidentifyopportunities and mitigate supply chain challenges.
- Evaluate supplier portfolios through total cost of ownership analysis.
- Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers to support business growth and resilience.
- Lead supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure supplier compliance with business, regulatory, and commercial requirements.
- Collaborate closely with stakeholders across procurement, supply chain, manufacturing, and engineering functions.
Strategic Category Manager
About You
- Proven experience in procurement,purchasing, category management, or supply chain management
- Proven experience working within a manufacturing environment
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
- Excellent negotiation and communication abilities
- A strategic mindset combined with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Thank you for your application. Due to the volume of applications, we receive, unfortunately weare not able torespond to every application personally, therefore, if you have not heard back from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. To see our other available vacancies please visit our website.
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