Category Manager

Civic Recruitment Limited; Greenwich; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited in Greenwich is seeking an experienced Interim Category Manager for a 12‑month contract with a local authority. The role focuses on delivering strategic procurement, developing category plans, and steering high‑value projects within agreed timescales.

Working 35 hours per week, you will provide commercial guidance to senior stakeholders, manage supplier relationships, and ensure compliance with procurement legislation.

Qualifications

• Significant procurement experience with category management and strategic sourcing.
• Proven track record leading complex, high-value procurement projects.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders on commercial decisions.
• Qualification matching procurement and commercial disciplines is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with priorities and financial goals.
• Create and maintain category plans to support future procurement needs.
• Identify cost savings, service improvements and efficiencies.
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to inform strategies.
• Lead end-to-end procurement exercises including high-value projects.
• Prepare procurement documents, tender specs, evaluation criteria, and contracts.
• Manage tender processes from market engagement to award.
• Ensure activities meet timescales and budgets.

Skills

Procurement

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree-level qualification

CIPS Level 4 or above

Job description

Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom

Posted On 30/07/2026

Job Information

Interim & Executive Management

City Greenwich

Province Greenwich

Postal Code SE10

Job Description

12 months contract Role with a local authority

Summary

• The Category Manager is a pivotal role within a local authority, responsible for executing strategic procurement and category management activities that align with organisational goals and enhance value for money. This position involves providing expert commercial and procurement advice, leading complex and high-value procurement projects, developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring adherence to procurement legislation and organisational policies. The role is a 12-month contract, offering an opportunity to significantly impact the organisation's procurement processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with organisational priorities and financial objectives.
• Create and maintain category plans to support future procurement requirements.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, service improvement, innovation, and efficiencies.
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to inform procurement strategies and decisions.
• Lead end-to-end procurement exercises, including complex, high-risk, and high-value projects.
• Prepare procurement documentation, tender specifications, evaluation criteria, and contract documentation.
• Manage tender processes from market engagement through to contract award.
• Ensure procurement activities are completed within agreed timescales and budgets.

Requirements

Essential Experience Required

• Significant experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, or commercial management.
• Proven experience leading complex and high-value procurement projects.
• Strong experience in contract and supplier relationship management.
• Experience providing commercial and procurement advice to senior stakeholders.

Essential Qualifications Required

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in Procurement, Business, Supply Chain, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Level 4 or above, or equivalent professional qualification.

Additional Information

• Working hours: 35 hours per week.
• We work on a bi-weekly schedule.
• The role closes on 20th August 2026.