Category Manager

Supply Chain Coordination Limited; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A health services organization is seeking a Category Manager to lead critical supply categories within the Medical and Surgical PPE team. This role involves developing strategies to improve supply chain management, ensuring optimal delivery while collaborating with stakeholders to maximize value for NHS customers. The position offers hybrid working flexibility, competitive salary, and various employee benefits including 27 days holiday, annual bonuses, and a generous pension scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Annual bonuses

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Support for development through training

Well-being initiatives

Generous pension scheme

Flexible Benefits Scheme

Paid volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Proven experience in category management within a public sector context.
• Ability to analyze external developments impacting the organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with public sector stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage category plans aligned with commercial strategies.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with public sector representatives.
• Analyze emerging issues affecting organizational priorities.

Skills

Agile thinking

Creativity

Stakeholder collaboration

Job description

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Job Posted: 29 January 2025
Job Updated: 23 July 2025

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Category Manager

Job Title: Category Manager

Function:Commercial

Location: Sheffield / Leeds – Hybrid working 2 days a week

Contract type: Permanent

Salary:£45,478 per annum with the opportunity to increase to £53,504 per annum by year 3.

Closing Date: 18th August 2025

We have a great opportunity for a Category Manager within the Medical and Surgical PPE team, who will make a significant impact in a high-profile area of national public health importance.

Our Category Manager roles are key leadership positions responsible for transforming and leading nationally critical categories. You will work with Category Lead colleagues to set the vision, direction, and culture for the teams, supporting provision and growth while introducing best practice tools and processes for world-class category management.

This role is pivotal in our future strategic delivery, requiring agile thinking, creativity, and the ability to work under pressure to meet priorities within a changing demographic and to enable excellent patient care.

The Category Manager will develop and implement strategies to improve supply chains, reduce risks, create competitive advantages, and deliver savings. This involves focusing on product ranges, market introduction, and collaboration with stakeholders to maximize value for NHS customers and NHS Supply Chain.

The role includes building complex cross-functional relationships within the organization and externally with stakeholders such as UK HSA, DHSC, and NHS England. The aim is to identify and implement operational improvements that create efficiencies and enhanced value and service for NHS customers.

Every day you will …

• Develop and manage category plans aligned with the organization’s commercial strategies, ensuring synergies, cost savings, risk reduction, and optimal delivery, with reporting to senior colleagues.
• Analyze external developments or emerging issues and evaluate their impact or usefulness to the organization.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior representatives from public sector bodies and partners to ensure alignment on priorities and objectives.
• Provide expertise and contribute to business cases for stakeholders and decision-makers, ensuring robust commercial approaches.
• Resolve queries from customers or suppliers regarding complex processes and policies, referring to others when necessary.
• Set clear objectives, prepare presentations, and engage with customers to assess interest and clarify needs.
• Conduct research using primary data sources to analyze key themes and trends.
• Support senior leaders in building relationships with stakeholders, including decision-makers, regulators, and industry professionals, following guidance from senior colleagues.
• Develop personal capabilities through training, coaching, and professional accreditation, maintaining knowledge of relevant technology, regulations, and industry best practices.

What can we offer you?

We value your passion and dedication, offering more than a competitive salary:

• Hybrid working arrangements for flexibility.
• Annual bonuses, long service awards, and VIP colleagues recognition.
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with options to purchase additional days.
• Support for your development through training and external qualifications.
• Well-being initiatives including paid well-being leave and access to support programs.
• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Flexible Benefits Scheme including insurance, health plans, and additional pension options.
• Paid volunteering leave and discounts through Blue Light Card and NHS Discounts.