Category Manager

1st Executive; Essex; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organisation in the UK is seeking an experienced Category Manager to develop and deliver impactful category strategies. The successful candidate will lead procurement activities, ensuring compliance with public sector regulations. Engaging with stakeholders, you will drive savings and enhance supplier performance. Essential qualifications include significant procurement experience and proven strategy development within a public sector environment. This is an exciting opportunity during a period of growth.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in procurement or commercial roles within the public sector.
• Proven experience of developing and delivering category strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Lead procurement activity for assigned categories.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with relevant legislation.

Skills

Procurement expertise

Category strategy development

Stakeholder engagement

Market analysis

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Category Manager to join a public sector organisation at a time of growth. In the role you will be responsible for developing and delivering category strategies that achieve value for money and ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations. The role provides commercial leadership across assigned spend categories, working collaboratively with stakeholders to drive savings, manage risk, and improve supplier performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain category strategies aligned to organisational and wider public sector objectives
• Analyse spend data, market trends, and demand forecasts to inform sourcing decisions
• Lead end‑to‑end procurement activity for assigned categories, from strategy through to contract award and implementation
• Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance, and non‑financial benefits (e.g. social value, sustainability)

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted commercial advisor to senior stakeholders and service leads
• Challenge demand appropriately and influence stakeholders to adopt best‑value solutions
• Facilitate cross‑functional working to ensure procurement activity meets service needs

Supplier & Contract Management

• Lead supplier engagement and market engagement activity in line with public procurement rules
• Support or oversee contract management, including performance management, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement
• Manage supplier relationships to drive innovation, resilience, and value

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all procurement activity complies with relevant legislation (e.g. PCR 2015 / Procurement Act 2023), internal policies, and audit requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in procurement or commercial roles within a public sector or regulated environment
• Proven experience of developing and delivering category strategies

Desirable

• Experience working across multiple categories or large, complex organisations