Category Manager - Property

1st Executive; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Category Manager for Property in Aylesbury, UK. The successful candidate will drive procurement strategies and develop supplier relationships to enhance innovation and continuous improvement. Required qualifications include a degree and CIPS (or equivalent). Solid experience in Category Management, along with strong analytical and communication skills, is essential for this role. This position covers a substantial third-party spend of approximately £20m.

Qualifications

• Solid experience of end-to-end Category Management, including strategy development and tendering.
• Demonstrable stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in health and social care is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of procurement strategy with key stakeholders.
• Develop supplier relationships that support strategic delivery.
• Optimise value and manage risk across third-party spend.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Decision-making

Supplier relationship management

Education

Degree level education

CIPS qualification or equivalent

Job description

Job Title : Category Manager - Property

Reports to : Head of Procurement

General Scope of Post

Drive a business partner approach with senior stakeholders, ensuring delivery of professional advice, guidance, and constructive challenge underpinned by expert knowledge of relevant spend areas.

Develop and implement supply chain solutions that align with business goals, are fit for purpose, and deliver tangible benefit and value.

Key Accountabilities

• Drive implementation of, and continually review, procurement strategy with key stakeholders to support business objectives.
• Develop supplier relationships that support strategic delivery, innovation, continuous improvement, and best practice.
• Optimise value and manage risk across third-party spend within the category.
• Ensure that agreed project targets are delivered on time and to budget through effective collaboration and project execution.
• Educate stakeholders and promote best-practice procurement to maximise benefit and compliance.

Number of Direct Reports

This role has no direct reports.

Financial Responsibility

Covers an addressable third-party spend of approximately £20m and is involved in all major procurements.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to degree level or equivalent.

CIPS (or equivalent) qualified, or qualified by experience in procurement and strategic sourcing roles.

Experience

Essential

• Solid experience of end-to-end Category Management, including:
• Strategy development
• Tendering
• Commercial and contract negotiations
• Supplier relationship management
• Demonstrable stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.

Desirable

• Experience in health and social care.

Knowledge

Essential

• Category Management principles.
• Best-practice procurement principles.
• Evaluation, commercial, and risk analysis.
• Change and Project Management.
• Understanding of key commercial contract risks and opportunities.

Specific Skills

• Ability to identify and exploit opportunities for continuous improvement with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ability to balance value across business priorities (financial, performance, risk, safety, etc.).
• Strong collaborative skills and the confidence to constructively challenge when required.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Timely and confident decision-making.

Interpersonal Skills

Fosters collaboration and teamwork.

• Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously.
• Able to establish and maintain high levels of personal and professional credibility at all levels.
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Able to prioritise workloads and manage expectations effectively.

Team Skills

Team-oriented with a focus on collaboration.

• Able to influence colleagues and teams to support effective procurement decisions.