Category Manager

Jobtailor; Elland; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Marshalls is seeking a strategic Procurement Lead to manage indirect categories and oversee annual expenditure of £30M-£50M. You will source goods across diverse suppliers to maximise value and lead contract negotiations.

You will partner with Legal to implement robust SLAs, drive supplier performance, and develop cost-saving strategies while advancing sustainability goals and cross-functional collaboration across the group.

Qualifications

• Problem solving and analysis skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Project management experience.
• Experience of all elements of the Procurement Process including managing suppliers, negotiation, tendering, e-auctions, sourcing and contract development.
• Excellent personal leadership skills.
• Ability to travel to group suppliers and group sites around the UK with occasional overnight stays; some European travel may be required in the future.
• Willingness to embark on and complete CIPS studies/qualifications up to and including level 6.
• Excellent numerical, communication, influence and decision‑making skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of indirect categories and oversee annual expenditure of £30M-£50M.
• Source goods and services across diverse suppliers and categories to achieve best value.
• Lead development and negotiation of commercially advantageous contracts.
• Partner with the Legal team to implement robust service level agreements.
• Drive supplier performance and cost-saving opportunities.
• Apply best-in-class technologies and formulate effective sourcing strategies.
• Build relationships with internal functions and stakeholders to drive procurement leadership.
• Help deliver environmental objectives and sustainability goals.
• Shape procurement processes to meet group targets and deliver operational excellence.

Skills

Problem Solving

Commercial Awareness

Leadership

Communication

Decision Making

Project Management

Education

CIPS Level 6

Tools

Sourcing Technologies

Service Level Agreements

Job description

Manage a portfolio of indirect categories and oversee annual expenditure of £30M-£50M
Source goods and services across diverse suppliers and categories to achieve best overall value
Maximise cost-saving opportunities while adhering to corporate compliance
Lead development and negotiation of commercially advantageous contracts
Partner with the Legal team to implement robust service level agreements
Drive supplier performance
Apply best-in-class technologies and formulate effective sourcing strategies
Build relationships with internal functions and stakeholders to drive procurement leadership and cross-functional success
Help deliver Marshalls' environmental objectives and company-wide sustainability goals
Shape procurement processes, meet group targets, and deliver operational excellence

Requirements

• Problem solving and analysis skills
• Commercial awareness
• Project management experience
• Experience of all elements of the Procurement Process including managing suppliers, negotiation, tendering, e-auctions, sourcing and contract development
• Excellent personal leadership skills
• Ability to develop excellent working relationships up to board level internally & externally
• Willingness to embark on and complete CIPS studies/qualifications up to and including level 6
• Excellent numerical, communication, influence and decision‑making skills
• Ability to travel to group suppliers and group sites around the UK with occasional overnight stays; some European travel may be required in the future
• Energetic individual with excellent priority setting and be results driven

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing procurement processes, including supplier management, negotiation, and contract development, while driving cost savings and sustainability initiatives. Proven ability to build relationships with stakeholders and lead cross‑functional teams to achieve operational excellence.

Highest‑signal resume keywords

• Procurement Process Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Supplier Performance Management
• CIPS Qualifications
• Project Management

Hard Skills

• Supplier Management
• Negotiation
• Tendering
• E‑Auctions
• Sourcing
• Contract Development
• Cost‑Saving Strategies
• Data Analysis

Soft Skills

• Problem Solving
• Commercial Awareness
• Leadership
• Communication
• Decision‑Making

Certifications & Qualifications

• CIPS Level 6

Industry Keywords

• Procurement
• Sustainability
• Operational Excellence
• Stakeholder Management

Tools & Technologies

• Sourcing Technologies
• Service Level Agreements