Category Manager

Web Recruit Ltd; Swindon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Westworks is seeking a senior Category Manager to lead the development, procurement and ongoing management of procurement solutions including Frameworks and Dynamic Markets. You will work with users, suppliers and colleagues to shape strategies, ensure compliance and maximise value.

You will also contribute to governance, drive continuous improvement, and help build procurement capability while transitioning to Act 2023 compliant Dynamic Markets.

Qualifications

• Excellent working knowledge of PCR 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Proven experience delivering large, above-threshold public sector procurements — ideally in the built environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Confident managing relationships with senior stakeholders and shaping change.
• Comfortable running multiple complex projects independently and at pace to tight deadlines.
• Used to briefing and working alongside lawyers and other professional advisers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Well organised, resilient and collaborative with solid IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, procurement and ongoing management of a portfolio of Westworks procurement solutions, including Frameworks and Dynamic Markets.
• Shape procurement strategies using market and performance intelligence to increase member value and supplier participation.
• Provide expert procurement governance and drive continuous improvement across the organisation.
• Help build procurement capability across the wider team and support the transformation programme.
• Transition existing DPS arrangements to Procurement Act 2023 compliant Dynamic Markets and develop next generation of Westworks frameworks.

Skills

PCR 2015 knowledge

Procurement Act 2023 knowledge

Public sector procurement

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Lawyer briefings

Communication skills

IT literacy

Education

MCIPS

Built environment experience

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Shape the next generation of Westworks procurement solutions.

This is an exciting time to join Westworks. We're looking for a Category Manager who shares our enthusiasm for creating something new, and our commitment to compliant but pragmatic solutions for the people who use our arrangements.

What you'll do

You'll lead the development, procurement and ongoing management of a portfolio of Westworks Procurement solutions, including Frameworks and Dynamic Markets. The role brings together category management, strategic procurement, commercial development and market engagement to make sure our solutions are compliant, commercially attractive and genuinely aligned to what our users need now and next.

You'll play a key part in our procurement transformation programme — transitioning existing DPS arrangements to Procurement Act 2023 compliant Dynamic Markets and developing the next generation of Westworks frameworks.

Working closely with users, suppliers and colleagues, you'll use market and performance intelligence to spot opportunities, shape procurement strategies, and build solutions that increase member value, supplier participation and utilisation.

As a senior procurement professional, you'll also provide expert advice across the organisation, contribute to procurement governance and continuous improvement, and help build procurement capability across the wider team.

You won't be starting from a blank page

You'll join at an established stage of our transformation programme. The future procurement model has been developed, existing arrangements mapped, priorities set, and the approach to Frameworks and Dynamic Markets defined. You'll inherit a well-developed programme of work, with ongoing support from the existing team and specialist procurement resource through transition and mobilisation.

Why Westworks

We're motivated by our vision and values, all framed around delivering excellence for our customers while enjoying the work we do. We also offer a favourable benefits package to support our people. If you want to play a significant part in shaping, designing and delivering our new arrangements, we'd really like to have a conversation with you.

What we’re looking for

Essential:

• Excellent working knowledge of PCR 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023
• Proven experience delivering large, above-threshold public sector procurements — ideally in the built environment
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills
• Confident managing relationships with senior stakeholders, and able to shape and influence change
• Comfortable running multiple complex projects independently and at pace, to tight deadlines
• Used to briefing and working alongside lawyers and other professional advisers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail
• Well organised, resilient and collaborative, with solid IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Our values resonate with you: Respect, Trust, Unity and Resilience

Desirable:

• MCIPS qualified
• Experience working at a framework provider
• Experience in the built environment

Other organisations may call this role Procurement Category Manager, Strategic Category Manager, Senior Category Manager, Category Lead, Procurement Manager, Senior Procurement Manager, Strategic Procurement Manager, or Procurement Lead.