Category Manager - Corporate and Professional Services

Luton Borough Council; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the UK is seeking a Category Manager - Corporate and Professional Services to provide strategic direction in procurement. The ideal candidate will have a strong commercial mindset, leading a team to deliver savings and driving a culture of innovation. This role offers a salary of £60,379 - £63,721 yearly, along with various benefits, including a generous pension scheme and flexible working options.

Benefits

Annual leave up to 32 days

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and support access

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in procurement and contract management.
• Ability to analyze commercial trends for long-term value.
• Familiarity with UK procurement legislation and EU directives.

Responsibilities

• Lead a sourcing and contract management team.
• Prepare and present complex reports for senior decision-making.
• Implement category strategies that achieve medium-term results.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial mindset

Category management

Team leadership

Education

Procurement practitioner qualification

CIPS membership or equivalent experience

Job description

About The Job

Salary: £60,379 - £63,721 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

Are you ready to take the lead in shaping how we buy and manage services that really make a difference? We’re looking for a Category Manager - Corporate and Professional Services to join our team and provide strategic direction across a high-profile portfolio.

In this role, you’ll work closely with directors and senior commissioning managers, acting as the go‑to person for all things Procurement and Contract Management within your portfolio. You’ll lead a sourcing and contract management team, helping us deliver real savings and value for the Council through best practice, innovative sourcing, and forward‑thinking category strategies.

But this isn’t just about numbers. It’s also about influence and culture. As we roll out our new procurement target operating model, you’ll play a key part in supporting a culture change programme – helping to position procurement as a highly professional, enabling, and strategic service that adds real value for the Council and its partners.

This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives on responsibility, collaboration, and innovation. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a tangible impact, bring new ideas to the table, and build strong, trusted relationships, we’d love to hear from you.

About You

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in driving savings and efficiencies through smart category and contract management, underpinned by a deep understanding of procurement and markets. With a strong commercial mindset, you’ll have worked extensively in purchasing environments and can confidently spot, analyse, and act on commercial trends to deliver long‑term value.

You’ll also be adept at shaping service delivery specifications alongside departments, ensuring that commissioning and procurement processes are both robust and outcome focused. As a people leader, you’ll have a proven track record of managing teams, supporting career development, and creating a culture of consistent good practice.

Strategic thinking comes naturally to you. You’re able to plan and implement category strategies that achieve results over the medium term (3 – 5 years), while balancing the day‑to‑day demands of your portfolio. Alongside this, you’ll be comfortable preparing and presenting complex reports that inform and influence senior decision‑making.

Your experience will ideally come from working within Health and Social Care, Corporate and Professional Services, or Infrastructure and Environment, giving you a strong understanding of service needs and the supplier landscape. You’ll also be familiar with the latest UK procurement legislation and EU directives, with the ability to guide and train others in best practice.

Finally, you’ll be procurement practitioner qualified, and either working towards or already a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) – or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge through extensive experience. Above all, you’ll be a proactive, collaborative professional who can take initiative, build positive relationships across the organisation, and act as a trusted leader within procurement.

About Us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Application Process

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel

How To Apply

We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high‑quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!

Our “How to apply” page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply.