Category Manager – Hard Services

Role Overview

Reporting to the HOP Hard Services, the Category Manager is responsible for strategic and operational management of multiple hard services categories, owning supplier relationships, reducing supply chain costs, and supporting regional directors and account directors in high‑value client accounts.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and execute a category management plan for hard services to reduce total cost, improve quality of supply and mitigate risk within the supply chain.
• Regular supplier engagement and management; building strategic, value‑adding relationships and driving performance through data‑driven management and relationship building.
• Managing and running end‑to‑end sourcing activities and supporting the Head of Procurement in high‑risk/value opportunities.
• Identifying, evaluating, negotiating and contracting with new suppliers.
• Regular benchmarking of current inputs, services and suppliers to ensure the supply chain delivers maximum value and innovation.
• Lead initiatives including rationalisation to increase spend compliance and concentration with preferred suppliers, delivering improved efficiencies and driving category maturity.
• Support the development of a preferred supply chain and fixed cost agreements.
• Build a plan to exit tail‑end suppliers and drive spend through strategic sources.
• Own strategic supplier relationships holding regular business reviews whilst developing performance data to report back to the business.
• Take ownership of suppliers and sub‑contractors to support operations.
• Support regional directors with customer relations to enhance the service offering.
• Able to demonstrate technical procurement knowledge in managing a core category across facilities management service contracts such as HVAC, BMS, energy projects and in‑sourcing strategies.
• Avoid conflict of interests between personal interests and the interests of the UK & Ireland group.
• Exercise independent judgment, reasonable care, skill and diligence when carrying out duties.
• Act in good faith and promote the long‑term success of each company within the UK & Ireland group for the benefit of all members and wider stakeholders.
• Adhere to and promote the UK & Ireland group’s policies on equality & diversity, information security, health and safety and data protection in the performance of duties and the management of departmental functions reporting into them.
• Support and promote the UK & Ireland group’s sustainability plans and policies, including the Carbon Management Plan, and carry out duties in a resource‑effective way, recognising the shared responsibility of minimizing negative environmental impacts wherever possible.

Qualifications and Experience

Necessary

• Previous Hard FM experience.
• Project procurement experience.
• Tendering experience.
• Experience negotiating rebate agreements.
• Category experience or prior work with category manager teams & strategy.
• Results driven with a flair for negotiation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Data focused with a proven track record for generating ideas for cost reduction.
• Demonstrable knowledge of owning supplier management and performance measurement.
• A strong team player with the ability to work in a cross‑functional team.
• Ability to build sustainable and productive relationships with suppliers.
• Uses data and market research to make recommendations for improvement.

Desirable

• CIPS qualification (Level 4 or higher).
• Security clearance.

Core Expectations

• Experienced procurement professional with project procurement & mobilisation experience.
• Able to manipulate and analyse data to report back and support the needs of the wider category management team.
• Experience in procurement, vendor/supplier management or a similar commercial role.
• Worked in fast‑paced, customer‑service‑based organisations, ideally in the FM sector.
• Excellent communication skills and influencing skills.
• Personal resilience and self‑belief.
• Accuracy and precision in budgeting and reporting.
• Self‑starter with the ability to work with minimal direction and supervision.
• High operating standards and levels of expectation.
• Forensic eye for detail.
• Problem‑solving and ownership of issues.
• Team player, with an interest in providing active feedback to develop the team for the greater good.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

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