Category Manager- Engineering & Construction

Huntress - Bracknell; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable recruitment agency is seeking a strategic Category Manager with expertise in Engineering and Construction. In this Portsmouth-based role with hybrid working conditions, you will define procurement strategies, manage supply chain processes, and oversee budgets. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in category management, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to drive impactful procurement solutions, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Category Management within the Engineering and Construction sectors.
• Ability to interpret complex commercial data for diverse audiences.
• Successful management of multiple work streams in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of category-specific strategies and manage commercial activities.
• Oversee Engineering and Construction budgets to optimize value.
• Implement sourcing plans supporting company goals.

Skills

Category Management

Negotiation

Commercial Data Analysis

Project Management

Job description

We are seeking a strategic Category Manager with deep expertise in Engineering and Construction to spearhead our sourcing initiatives. In this role, you will be instrumental in defining procurement strategies across a varied project portfolio. You will oversee the entire supply chain process, leveraging market intelligence to challenge traditional methods and deliver creative, high-value procurement solutions.

Joining a collaborative and driven team, you will utilise agile methodologies to manage various work streams, prioritising tasks effectively to achieve measurable organisational impact.

Details

Title: Category Manager
Salary: £55,000-£66,000 DOE
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Location: Portsmouth, hybrid working (2-3 days in the office per week)

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of category-specific strategies, working closely with internal partners to define technical specifications and volume requirements.
• Manage all commercial activities to optimise value and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership throughout the procurement life cycle.
• Oversee the Engineering and Construction budget, mitigating strategic risks and ensuring financial efficiency.
• Refine and update procurement best practices, ensuring that workflows remain modern, efficient, and aligned with industry standards.
• Partner with business leaders to implement contracting and sourcing plans that support broader company goals.
• Reduce expenditure through demand aggregation, technical standardisation, and the active management of tail spend.
• Integrated external best practices and innovative supplier solutions into actionable business proposals.
• Foster transparent and professional communication channels with both internal departments and external vendors.
• Navigate complex utilities procurement regulations and statutory requirements to ensure full legal adherence.

What we are looking for

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in Category Management specifically within the Engineering and Construction sectors.
• Proven ability to interpret complex commercial data and present findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Skilled in high-level negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing key decision-makers.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple work streams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder strategic sourcing and a history of hitting ambitious performance targets.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• A self-starter who thrives under pressure and is eager to expand their professional skill set.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to translate new ideas into practical results.

Huntress Search Ltd acts as a Recruitment Agency in relation to all Permanent roles and as a Recruitment Business in relation to all Temporary roles.

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.

PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK