Category Manager (Indirect)

Job Title: Procurement Category Manager (Indirects)

Reporting to: Head of Procurement

Position Type: 6-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Hybrid)

Department: Operations / Finance

Role Overview

This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end procurement and contracting of goods and services. It focuses on strategic category management, supplier relationship management, and ensuring value for money through effective procurement practices.

The postholder will design and implement procurement strategies, policies, and processes to optimise spend, maximise commercial value, and support organisational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Strategy

• Develop and implement best-practice procurement strategies, systems, and procedures
• Lead strategic procurement planning in collaboration with budget holders
• Create and deliver category strategies aligned to organisational priorities
• Drive stakeholder engagement to ensure adoption of category and supplier strategies
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to inform decision-making
• Leverage digital and AI tools to enhance market insight, planning, and tender evaluation

Sourcing & Contract Management

• Manage end-to-end procurement processes, including:
  • Supplier evaluation
  • Tendering (RFI/RFP)
  • Commercial negotiation
  • Contract award and implementation
• Support stakeholders in developing specifications and sourcing documentation
• Review and improve contractual terms, including development of standard templates
• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies and governance

Supplier & Financial Management

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to optimise value and mitigate risk
• Lead supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
• Identify and deliver cost‑saving and spend optimisation opportunities
• Work with stakeholders to assess supplier risk and develop mitigation plans
• Support budget planning, monitoring, and control

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Provide challenge on requirements to ensure commercial efficiency (“need vs. want”)
• Contribute to business case development and track benefit realisation
• Champion procurement best practices and continuous improvement
• Collaborate across wider organisational entities to leverage scale and knowledge‑sharing

Team & Capability Support

• Support the development of Procurement Officers through coaching and knowledge sharing
• Contribute to building procurement capability and best practice across the organisation
• Provide input on resourcing needs and workload prioritisation

Skills & Competencies

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills
• Commercial acumen with ability to operate as a strategic business partner
• Skilled in contract negotiation and supplier management
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• High levels of integrity, credibility, and professionalism
• Project management capability
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• Proven experience in procuring indirect goods and services in the private sector
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing category strategies
• Experience delivering procurement projects within tight deadlines
• Strong background in contract negotiation and supplier management

Desirable:

• Professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS)
• Experience with P2P systems (e.g. Oracle)
• Experience developing business cases (e.g. make vs. buy decisions)
• Experience managing budgets

Core Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Adaptability and problem‑solving ability in fast‑changing environments
• End‑to‑end category management capability
• Commercially focused procurement experience

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role offered as a 6‑month fixed‑term contract, requiring a balance of on‑site and remote working. The role also requires flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and contribute to broader organisational objectives. The successful candidate will work within established governance frameworks and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and inclusion.

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