Category Manager

Adecco (Portugal); Old Warren; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Adecco is seeking a Category Manager to lead the design, delivery and management of procurement categories and framework agreements in Reading, UK. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on sourcing, governance and supplier management to maximise value for members.

Join a permanent, 35-hour week with a flexible hybrid pattern (1 day in office). The ideal candidate has public sector procurement experience, strong regulatory knowledge and a data-driven approach to decision-making.

Qualifications

• Experience in public sector procurement and complex category management.
• Strong knowledge of UK public procurement regulations.
• Experience designing and delivering framework agreements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Data-driven decision making and commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and development of procurement categories and frameworks.
• Plan end-to-end sourcing projects compliant with UK rules.
• Govern frameworks with audit-ready documentation.
• Manage supplier relationships and drive performance.
• Engage members and sector bodies to align strategies.
• Maintain procurement data and generate actionable reports.

Skills

Category management

Public sector procurement

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decisions

Regulatory compliance

Education

CIPS/MCIPS accreditation (desirable)

Job description

Category Manager Location: Reading, RG6 6BU Contract Type: Permanent Hours: Monday - Friday 35 hours per week - 1 day in office per week Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking a passionate and skilled Category Manager to lead the design, delivery, and management of assigned procurement categories and framework agreements. This role is pivotal in ensuring commercial value, regulatory compliance, and strong supplier performance, ultimately driving high-quality outcomes for members.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Development

• Lead the strategic development of assigned categories, ensuring frameworks are commercially strong and aligned with member priorities.
• Utilise market intelligence to shape category strategies and identify opportunities for value and innovation.
• Analyse spend, pricing, and market risks to inform decisions and highlight optimisation areas.

Sourcing & Framework Delivery

• Plan and deliver end-to-end sourcing projects, ensuring compliance with UK public procurement regulations
• Develop sourcing strategies and documentation that reflect member needs and market conditions.
• Engage with suppliers and lead negotiation processes to secure robust framework agreements.

Framework Governance & Compliance

• Ensure strong governance across all frameworks, maintaining documentation and processes that meet audit standards.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure frameworks remain compliant and responsive to sector changes and emerging risks.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Act as the category lead for supplier relationships, ensuring high performance and member value
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and promote innovation and sustainability through proactive engagement.

Member Engagement & Collaboration

• Engage with members to understand their needs and gather feedback to enhance framework effectiveness
• Collaborate with sector bodies to align strategies and support sector-wide initiatives.

Data Management & Reporting

• Ensure accurate updates across procurement and supplier management systems
• Utilise data to monitor performance and produce insightful reports for decision-making.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in public sector procurement and complex category management.
• Strong knowledge of UK public procurement regulations.
• Experience in designing and delivering framework agreements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and data-driven decision-making abilities.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within higher education or public sector procurement.
• CIPS/MCIPS accreditation or a willingness to undertake.

Why Join?

Our client offers a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement, and flexible working arrangements that support a healthy work-life balance. This is an exciting opportunity to lead impactful procurement initiatives in a supportive and innovative environment.

Adecco is a disability-confident employer. It is important to us that we run an inclusive and accessible recruitment process to support candidates of all backgrounds and all abilities to apply. Adecco is committed to building a supportive environment for you to explore the next steps in your career. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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