Category Manager

Michael Page (UK); Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Category Manager in Birmingham to lead procurement strategies across complex areas of spend. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with the 2023 Procurement Act while driving procurement excellence within a Not For Profit context. This role offers a competitive salary and a supportive work environment with opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects and develop professional procurement practices.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Additional employee benefits package

Supportive and collaborative working environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrable delivery of complex, high-value sourcing projects under public procurement regulations.
• Expert knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 or similar regulated frameworks.
• Experience overseeing contract lifecycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, design, and implement Category strategies across complex areas of spend.
• Act as mentor for professional procurement awareness.
• Ensure category strategies evolve based on market intelligence.

Skills

Public procurement regulations

Category management

Strategic guidance

Supplier performance assurance

Job description

• Hybrid working
• Competitive salary

About Our Client

The employer is a medium-sized organisation in the Not For Profit sector, focused on creating positive societal impact through efficient and effective operations. They are committed to delivering high-quality services and maintaining excellent standards in procurement.

Job Description

• To lead, design and implement Category strategies across complex areas of spend to deliver measurable procurement improvements, understanding and applying whole life cost principles as well as lowest cost to source
• Act as mentor for the benefits of professional procurement promoting awareness and understanding in this area, developing corporate understanding of better buying principles and world class supply chain management
• Embed robust governance, transparency, and compliance within the procurement lifecycle under the Procurement Act 2023
• Influence senior decision-makers and governance panels to ensure sourcing plans are aligned, prioritised, and proactively delivered
• Act as commercial lead for high-risk/high-value categories, offering assurance and strategic guidance across procurement decisions
• Ensure category strategies evolve based on market intelligence, business needs, and legislative reform
• Escalate risks appropriately and ensure mitigating actions are embedded into category plans and contract strategies
• Manage high-risk contracts, financial thresholds, or regulated procurements requiring external publication
• Responsibility for building and maintaining a strong culture and awareness of compliant Procurement and the benefits of good supply chain management
• Responsible for ensuring all procurement is compliant with the 2023 Procurement Act, relevant legislation, GDPR, governance and Group Financial Regulations. Provision of professional procurement and contract management advice

The Successful Applicant

A successful Category Manager should have:

• Demonstrable delivery of complex, high-value sourcing projects under public procurement regulations
• Expert knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 or similar regulated frameworks (e.g., PCR 2015)
• Experience overseeing contract lifecycle management and supplier performance assurance

What's on Offer

• Salary between £45,644 and £50,715 per annum, depending on experience.
• Fixed-term contract until August 2027 with potential for permanent contract.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects in the Not For Profit sector.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment in Birmingham.
• Additional employee benefits package.

If you are an experienced Category Manager with a passion for procurement and supply chain excellence, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity in Birmingham!