Category Manager

Brackenberry; Willington CP; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading council is seeking a Category Manager to oversee strategic procurement initiatives across its departments. This senior-level position requires expertise in contract management and legislation compliance to deliver efficient procurement solutions. The successful candidate will manage high-value projects and supplier relationships to achieve key corporate objectives. Applicants must have extensive experience as a strategic advisor in procurement and be able to work on short notice.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in strategic procurement and contract management.
• Expert knowledge of procurement legislation and best practices.
• Proven ability to manage complex procurement projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop procurement strategies and forward plans with the Category Lead.
• Ensure compliance with National Rules and Council objectives.
• Provide expert advice on the procurement process.

Skills

Strategic procurement advice

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Compliance with legislation

Team management

Job description

Rate of Pay

£319.03 – £398.00 per day

Summary

The Category Manager is a senior-level commercial expert responsible for providing strategic procurement and contract management advice across the Council. Working closely with a Category Lead and relevant departments, the role involves managing complex, high-value, and/or high‑risk procurement projects to achieve corporate objectives. Key focuses include delivering value for money, maximising social value, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation (such as the Procurement Act and Social Value Act), and managing supplier relationships and risks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category procurement strategies and robust forward procurement plans in collaboration with the Category Lead
• Ensure procurement exercises comply with National Rules (Procurement Act and/or Provider Selection Regime), the Social Value Act, and wider Council objectives (e.g., Sustainability and Fair Tax)
• Provide expert technical information, advice, guidance, and challenge on all aspects of the procurement process to internal customers
• Manage multi‑disciplined teams to achieve common outcomes and provide guidance and supervision to Procurement Officers assigned to support projects
• Deliver workshops/training to internal customers and external suppliers to support compliance and promote the Council's procurement objectives
• Undertake all duties with due regard to health and safety, Data Protection/GDPR, and the Council's Equal Opportunities and Customer Care policies

Essentials

• Extensive experience acting as a key strategic advisor on complex procurement matters
• Expert technical knowledge of relevant legislation and best practice in procurement, including National Rules (Procurement Act and/or Provider Selection Regime) and the Social Value Act
• Proven track record in applying the tools and techniques of strategic sourcing
• Experience in managing and supervising staff or multi‑disciplined teams to achieve project outcomes

Please note

• You should be available to work immediately or at short notice
• You should have right to work in the U.K.

Disclaimer

Brackenberry Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. We are committed to equality in the workplace and are an equal opportunity employer. Unless otherwise stated all of our roles are temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Important

We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary. In case the role requires an enhanced DBS, your DBS must either be through us or be accompanied by a subscription to the DBS updating service.