Category Manager

Nottinghamshire County Council; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Generous leave

Job summary

Nottinghamshire County Council invites applications for a Category Manager to lead and manage the Place and Chief Executives department within our award-winning procurement team.

You will develop category plans, provide expert advice to senior stakeholders, and drive cost efficiencies while building strong relationships with service directors and suppliers.

We offer flexible working, professional development opportunities, generous leave, and a supportive environment that values diversity.

Qualifications

• Public sector procurement experience required.
• Knowledge of procurement regulations.
• MCIPS or equivalent qualification.
• Understanding of local government procurement laws.

Responsibilities

• Leading management of a procurement category with a multi-million-pound annual spend.
• Developing and implementing category plans to meet objectives from the Procurement Strategy.
• Providing expert advice to senior stakeholders and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Driving cost efficiencies and continuous improvements in procurement practices.
• Building relationships with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Managing a category team to meet service standards.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Cost efficiencies

Leadership

Customer service

Education

MCIPS or equivalent

Job description

Salary

£47,181 - £52,413 per annum

Type of vacancy

Permanent

Work pattern

Full Time

Hours per week

37

Work Base

County Hall, West Bridgford, NG2 7QP

Working Arrangements

Hybrid

Competency Framework

Tier 5

Number of posts

1

Interview date

21 September 2026

Closing Date

06 September 2026 23:55

At Nottinghamshire County Council, we are committed to serving our community with care and compassion. As a forward-thinking local authority, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. Join us in making a difference!

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our Procurement Management Team as a Category Manager. In this strategic role, you will lead and manage the Place and Chief Executives department within our award-winning procurement team. If you have a positive ‘can do’ attitude and a passion for public sector procurement, this role is for you!

As a Category Manager, Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading the management of a procurement category with a multi-million-pound annual spend.
• Developing and implementing category plans to achieve objectives from the Procurement Strategy.
• Providing expert advice and support to senior stakeholders, ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.
• Driving cost efficiencies and continuous improvement in procurement practices.
• Building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including service directors and external suppliers.
• Managing a dedicated category team to meet service standards and foster best practices.

To Thrive In This Role, You Will Need

• A strong background in public sector procurement, with experience in managing complex tenders.
• Up-to-date knowledge of procurement regulations and best practices.
• A recognised qualification in procurement, such as MCIPS or equivalent.
• A comprehensive understanding of local government procurement laws and financial regulations.

We Are Looking For Candidates Who Demonstrate

• Excellent interpersonal skills to engage and influence stakeholders effectively.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to navigate complex procurement challenges.
• Leadership qualities to inspire and empower your team towards achieving high performance.
• A commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and value for money.

At Nottinghamshire County Council, We Offer

• A place to belong: A friendly, inclusive workplace where everyone is valued.
• Flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance.
• Professional development opportunities to help you grow in your career.
• Generous leave and a supportive environment that prioritises your well-being.

Nottinghamshire County Council strives to ensure that it goes beyond the requirements of the Equalities Act and prides itself on being accredited as a Disability Confident Leader Organisation.

Under the Disability Confident scheme (formerly known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme) we would like to ensure applicants with disabilities are offered an interview if they meet the minimum criteria for a job. Please let us know if this is something you would like to be considered for.

A job share scheme is available for all full-time posts: both permanent and temporary, unless otherwise stated.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks.

Nottinghamshire County Council strongly encourages applications from all candidates from different walks of life, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, religion, belief, pregnancy and maternity status, age or sexual orientation.