Category Manager

Opus People Solutions Limited; Walsall; Hybrid; GBP 74,000 - 104,000; Part time

Job summary

Opus People Solutions Limited is seeking a Category Manager to support Place and Adult Social Care procurement programmes in the UK. The role involves developing category strategies, leading end-to-end sourcing, and advising stakeholders across the organisation.

The position offers hybrid working with on-site visits approx. 1 day per month and occasional site travel, under a 3-month contract. PA23 experience is required, with emphasis on public sector governance and value-for-money outcomes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience operating as a Category Manager within a public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.
• Experience leading complex end-to-end procurement exercises and sourcing activities.
• Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract management experience.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Experience using PA23 is essential.
• Experience within either Place services or Adult Social Care procurement categories is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of category strategies that align with organisational objectives and procurement best practice.
• Manage end-to-end procurement projects from sourcing strategy through to contract award and implementation.
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to stakeholders across the organisation.
• Support and coach Category Specialists and Assistant Category Specialists throughout procurement activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand service requirements and deliver value-for-money outcomes.
• Ensure all procurement activity is compliant with relevant legislation, governance frameworks and internal policies.
• Develop and implement commercial and contracting strategies for goods, works and services within your designated category area.
• Identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and service improvements through strategic sourcing and supplier engagement.
• Manage supplier relationships, contract performance and risk throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function.

Job description

Category Manager - Place / Adult Social CareHybrid Working | Approximately 1 Day Per Month On-Site + Occasional Site Visits3-Month Contract£322.85 PAYE / £450 Umbrella per dayContract Opportunity

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Category Managers to support a major local authority procurement function. We have opportunities available within both the Place and Adult Social Care categories, providing strategic procurement, commercial and contract management expertise across a diverse portfolio of goods, services and works.This is an excellent opportunity for procurement professionals with strong category management experience and a proven track record of delivering compliant, value-driven procurement solutions within the public sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of category strategies that align with organisational objectives and procurement best practice.
• Manage end-to-end procurement projects from sourcing strategy through to contract award and implementation.
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to stakeholders across the organisation.
• Support and coach Category Specialists and Assistant Category Specialists throughout procurement activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand service requirements and deliver value-for-money outcomes.
• Ensure all procurement activity is compliant with relevant legislation, governance frameworks and internal policies.
• Develop and implement commercial and contracting strategies for goods, works and services within your designated category area.
• Identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and service improvements through strategic sourcing and supplier engagement.
• Manage supplier relationships, contract performance and risk throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience operating as a Category Manager within a public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.
• Experience leading complex end-to-end procurement exercises and sourcing activities.
• Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract management experience.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Experience using PA23 is essential.
• Experience within either Place services or Adult Social Care procurement categories is highly desirable.
• All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references.