Category Manager

Tarmac Trading Limited; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction materials company in Solihull is seeking a Category Manager - Mobile Plant Equipment to oversee purchases, rentals, and service agreements. The successful candidate will manage a £100 million portfolio, shape best practice strategies, and engage with stakeholders at various levels. Strong experience in the quarrying industry and strategic insight into mobile equipment is essential. The role offers career growth within Tarmac and the wider CRH Group.

Benefits

Bonus scheme

Company car / car allowance

Enhanced holiday entitlement

Contributory pension scheme

Discounts via the Tarmac Reward website

Free support through Employee Assistance helpline

Ongoing training and career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in a managerial role within the quarrying industry.
• Strong insight into Mobile Plant Equipment.
• Ability to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic supplier relationships to drive value.
• Engage and influence stakeholders across all levels.
• Act as in-house expert for Mobile Plant Equipment.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Job description

Overview

At Tarmac, we're recruiting for a Category Manager - Mobile Plant Equipment to join our team at the T3 Head Office in Solihull. This is a pivotal role, responsible for leading Mobile Plant Equipment purchases, rentals, R&M service agreements as well as earthworks, outsourced quarry load and haul agreements, and contract crushing. If you're already in a managerial role within the quarrying industry and have strong insight into these categories, this could be the perfect step into a Head Office function. You will report to the Senior Procurement Manager and take ownership of managing and controlling local spend in the Mobile Plant Equipment category cluster, a portfolio worth around £100 million. You will have the opportunity to shape best practice strategies that deliver value, cost savings, and innovation across Tarmac.

What you'll be doing

• Managing strategic supplier relationships to drive value in line with Tarmac's objectives
• Engaging and influencing stakeholders at every level, including Excom, CRH Cluster teams and local functions
• Acting as Tarmac's in-house expert in Mobile Plant Equipment
• Maximising contract value through compliance, business engagement and stakeholder responsiveness
• Driving procurement KPI performance through effective contract management
• Creating a culture of continuous improvement with measurable results
• Leveraging synergies across UK and Ireland clusters to deliver best value

Candidate requirements

We want a Category Manager who either brings proven experience in a similar role or has considerable experience working with the category in an operational role, with the ability to think strategically, challenge ways of working, and drive innovation. You'll need strong stakeholder management skills, the confidence to influence at senior level, and the resilience to solve complex problems.

We offer

• Bonus scheme
• Company car / car allowance
• Enhanced holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Discounts via the Tarmac Reward website
• Free and confidential support through our Employee Assistance helpline
• Nine active Employee Communities (including REACH, LGBTQ+, Parents & Carers, Ability, Wellbeing, Female Voice, Menopause, and more)
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities

You'll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team with the scope to grow your career across both Tarmac and the wider CRH Group.