Category Manager

Huntress; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntress is recruiting a Category Manager for its Public Sector Procurement team in the United Kingdom, based in Peterborough.

You will manage end-to-end procurement across multiple categories, ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, and drive value for money through cross‑functional stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience in public sector procurement and end-to-end procurement processes.
• Understanding of category management principles and public procurement legislation.
• Ability to engage stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
• Aiming to develop knowledge in healthcare and provider selection regimes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Managing end-to-end procurement processes from requirements to contract award.
• Managing procurement activity for contracts valued up to 500,000.
• Ensuring procurement activity complies with legislation, policies and governance.
• Applying knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and public procurement regulations.
• Supporting development and implementation of category strategies.
• Working with cross-functional teams to identify sourcing solutions and deliver value.

Skills

Public sector procurement

End-to-end procurement

Category management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Education

CIPS qualification in progress

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Category Manager - Public Sector Procurement

An established public sector organisation is seeking a Category Manager to join its procurement function, supporting the delivery of compliant, commercially focused procurement solutions across a range of categories.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional with previous public sector experience who understands the regulatory environment, can manage end-to-end procurement activity and enjoys working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve value for money.

Reporting to a Senior Category Manager, you will contribute to category strategies, support cost-saving initiatives and help improve procurement processes, governance and supplier performance.

Key responsibilities

• Managing end-to-end procurement processes, from initial requirements through to sourcing, evaluation and contract award.
• Managing procurement activity for contracts valued up to 500,000.
• Ensuring procurement activity complies with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and governance requirements.
• Applying knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and relevant public procurement regulations.
• Supporting the development and implementation of category strategies aligned with organisational priorities.
• Working with cross-functional project teams and stakeholders to understand requirements and identify appropriate sourcing solutions.
• Providing procurement advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on processes, compliance and governance.
• Identifying opportunities to deliver value for money, cost savings and continuous improvement.
• Analysing category data and management information to support informed commercial decisions.
• Building effective working relationships with internal customers and external suppliers.
• Supporting stakeholder awareness and training on procurement processes, legislation and governance.

About you

We're looking for a commercially aware procurement professional who can combine technical procurement knowledge with strong stakeholder engagement skills.

Essential experience and knowledge

• Previous experience working in public sector procurement.
• Experience managing end-to-end procurement processes.
• Knowledge of category management principles and techniques.
• Understanding of public procurement legislation, particularly the Procurement Act 2023.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• The ability to analyse procurement data, identify opportunities and deliver value for money.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to provide clear procurement advice and build positive working relationships.

Qualifications

You should be working towards a CIPS qualification or be able to demonstrate a suitable level of relevant procurement experience.

Knowledge of the Provider Selection Regime for healthcare services, Power BI, negotiation techniques and procure-to-pay processes would be advantageous.

Why consider this opportunity

• Join a public sector procurement team with a broad and varied workload.
• Manage procurement activity across a range of categories and contract requirements.
• Develop your experience in category management, public procurement legislation and stakeholder engagement.
• Play a role in delivering compliant procurement solutions and measurable value for money.

Interested

Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation.

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