Vickerstock are working exclusively with global manufacturer on the appointment of a Category Manager on a full-time permanent basis (40 hours). Our client are a major international business are recognised as a leading name in their industry with thousands of employees across the world, offering excellent benefits and more importantly, a path to develop your expertise and career in a supportive working environment.
As the Category Manager, you will be responsible for driving high-impact category strategies that deliver measurable cost savings, improved quality and enhanced supply chain resilience across critical components and services. The role plays a key part in aligning procurement activity to business objectives, unlocking value through strategic sourcing, strong supplier partnerships and continuous improvement.
Benefits Include:
- Pension - Employer 7%/ Employee minimum of 5%
- Life Assurance - 6 times salary
- Discretionary bonus scheme 10% based on business performance
- 33 days annual leave - 25 + 8 stats
- Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
- Enhanced paternity pay
- Salary to be discussed in person.
Duties in the Category Lead role include:
- Develop, own and execute robust category strategies across assigned spend areas including (but not limited to) metal fabrications, hydraulics, electrical components and vehicle or machine parts.
- Lead end-to-end supplier management activities within your categories, encompassing contract negotiation, change management, pricing and payment queries, supplier classification and ongoing supplier relationship management.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key strategic suppliers to drive performance improvements, innovation, quality, service and full commercial and regulatory compliance.
- Proactively identify and deliver cost reduction and value creation opportunities, taking a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach through strategic sourcing initiatives, process improvements and close supplier collaboration.
- Act as the primary escalation point for all supply-related issues within your category, working cross-functionally to resolve challenges quickly and ensure uninterrupted production and operational continuity.
- Take ownership of design changes and special or one-off parts, including re-specification, cost validation and supplier engagement.
- Manage and track design change implementation to ensure continuity of supply and accurate transition of parts into production.
What you will need to succeed:
- Demonstrable experience in a strategic procurement position
- Experience within manufacturing, engineering, aerospace or automotive industries.
Advantageous:
- Experience in areas such as metal fabrications, hydraulics, electrical components or vehicle machine parts.
- CIPS Qualification (ideally Level 4 or working towards).
- Ability to travel internationally to visit suppliers
For a confidential conversation on how Vickerstock can help support you with your next move, get in touch with our supply chain consultant Michael Irwin today.
Skills:
procurement category manager category lead manufacturing engineering
Benefits:
pension life assurance hybrid
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