Category Manager Health & Care

Luton Borough; Luton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Luton Borough Council is recruiting a Procurement Category Manager to deliver strategic procurement across a defined portfolio from the Town Hall. You will lead category strategies, sourcing and contract management to achieve savings and social value for the Council.

The role requires substantial experience in strategic procurement, excellent commercial acumen and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. A CIPS qualification or progress toward membership is preferred.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in strategic procurement, category and contract management.
• Excellent commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Knowledge of markets, procurement legislation and best practice.
• Experience developing specifications, leading procurement projects, managing teams and driving change in a complex organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead category strategies, sourcing and contract management to deliver savings and value for money.
• Shape procurement approaches, build supplier relationships and manage risk while ensuring compliance with UK regulations.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team and embed the new procurement operating model and culture.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Category management

Contract management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Change management

Education

CIPS qualification or working towards membership

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Town Hall, Luton Borough Council

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

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Town Hall, Luton Borough Council

Closing Date:

31/08/2026

Job Category:

Inclusive Economy

Directorate:

Inclusive Growth

Business Unit:

Job Introduction

Salary: £60,379 - £63,721 a year plus £3,203 car benefit allowance
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract: Permanent

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

What You’ll be doing

As a Procurement Category Manager, you’ll provide strategic procurement and commercial advice across your portfolio, working closely with senior leaders, commissioners and stakeholders. You’ll lead category strategies, sourcing and contract management activity to deliver savings, value for money, social value and positive outcomes for the Council.

You’ll use your market and commercial expertise to shape procurement approaches, build strong supplier relationships, manage risk and ensure compliance with UK procurement regulations. You’ll also lead and develop a high-performing team, champion continuous improvement and help embed our new procurement operating model and culture.

What we’re looking for

You’ll bring substantial experience in strategic procurement, category and contract management, with a strong track record of delivering savings and commercial value. You’ll have excellent commercial acumen, strategic thinking and knowledge of markets, procurement legislation and best practice.

You’ll be a confident leader and communicator, able to influence senior stakeholders, negotiate with major suppliers and turn complex information into clear, pragmatic advice. You’ll have experience developing specifications, leading procurement projects, managing teams and driving change in a complex organisation.

Ideally, you’ll be CIPS qualified or working towards membership, with relevant experience in the portfolio area. Most importantly, you’ll be collaborative, commercially minded and passionate about using procurement to make a real difference.

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?

LBC employees and LBC agency workers may apply for this position.

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