Category Manager - Service Operations & Aftermarket

PLP Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

VEV is seeking a Category Manager to provide day-to-day procurement support for the Service & Maintenance team, handling sourcing for field-service subcontractors, repair partners, spare parts and consumables. You will run quotations, supplier evaluations and contract implementations to support a scalable service network.

Key duties include inventory planning, warranty handling, KPI reporting, and continuous improvement of procurement and inventory processes to maximise uptime and reduce costs

Qualifications

• Approximately four to five years experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing or a related commercial role.
• Experience supporting service and maintenance, after market, engineering services, facilities management, industrial equipment or another operationally focussed environment
• Experience sourcing and managing technical service providers, subcontractors, repair partners or equipment suppliers

Responsibilities

• Provide primary day to day procurement support to the business
• Negotiate pricing, service rates, commercial terms, maintenance agreements and framework contracts within authority
• Monitor stock availability, supplier lead times, stock turns and replenishments; report KPIs

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Supplier management

Inventory management

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

About VEV VEV specialises in designing and implementing scaled enterprise fleet solutions. Our expertise lies in optimising fleets, charging infrastructure, and operations to maximize the benefits of transitioning to sustainable transportation. With a wealth of experience in delivering comprehensive turnkey charging solutions at scale, we are committed to guiding organisations through a seamless transition towards a greener future. If you are passionate about sustainable transportation, innovation, and making a positive impact, we invite you to join us at VEV. As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work on ground breaking projects, collaborate with industry experts, and drive meaningful change in the world of e-mobility.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Category Manager to provide day to day procurement support to VEV’s after market and service & maintenance department. The role will manage sourcing and supplier activity for technical services, field service subcontractors, repair partners, spare parts, consumables and other requirements needed to support the operational fleet. The Category Manager will be the primary procurement contact for the Service & Maintenance team. The role will combine structured sourcing and supplier management with practical operational support, including warranty recovery, urgent service requirements and supplier-related issue resolution. The position will also support inventory management activities, working with Service, Operations and Finance teams to maintain appropriate spare-parts availability, improve replenishment planning and provide reliable inventory reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Aftermarket Procurement and Supplier Management Provide primary day to day procurement support to the business Manage sourcing activity for field-service subcontractors, maintenance providers, specialist technical services, repair partners, spare parts and consumables Identify, evaluate and onboard suppliers capable of supporting VEV’s service network and operational requirements Manage requests for quotation, commercial evaluations and supplier recommendations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders Negotiate pricing, service rates, commercial terms, maintenance agreements and framework contracts within agreed levels of authority Maintain effective supplier relationships and support appropriate contract implementation and ongoing commercial management

Spare Parts & Inventory Support Support procurement and replenishment of spare parts and consumables to maintain agreed service levels and stock availability Work with service and operations teams to translate expected maintenance demand into purchasing and replenishment requirements Monitor stock availability, supplier lead times, stock turns, critical spares, excess sock and potential obsolescence, escalating risks as required Support the development and maintenance of inventory parameters, including minimum and maximum stock levels, safety stock and reorder points Ensure supplier warranty replacements and repair returns are processed and replenished promptly Support the maintenance of accurate inventory, item, supplier and lead time data within relevant systems Contribute to inventory reporting and continuous-improvement initiatives aimed at improving availability and working capital efficiency

Operational Support & Reporting Provide responsive procurement support for urgent service requirements and critical equipment breakdowns Coordinate with internal stakeholders and suppliers to resolve delivery issues affecting operational or customer performance Support the development and improvement of procurement and inventory processes for aftermarket and service operations Produce and maintain reporting on supplier performance, inventory availability, warranty recoveries, savings and service related procurement KPIs

Qualifications & Experience

• Approximately four to five years experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing or a related commercial role
• Experience supporting service and maintenance, after market, engineering services, facilities management, industrial equipment or another operationally focussed environment
• Experience sourcing and managing technical service providers, subcontractors, repair partners or equipment suppliers
• Practical experience managing sourcing exercises, commercial evaluations, negotiations and supplier contracts
• Working knowledge of spare parts procurement, inventory management and replenishments principles
• Experience supporting warranty claims, supplier returns or RMA processes
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with supplier, purchasing and inventory data
• Knowledge of EV charging infrastructure, electrical equipment, renewable energy or industrial maintenance (desirable)
• Experience using ERP inventory management or materials planning modules (desirable)
• Experience monitoring stock turns, critical spares availability, excess inventory and obsolescence (desirable)
• Relevant degree or professional qualification in procurement, supply chain, engineering or a related field (desirable)

Additional Information

VEV is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Learn more about our existing projects and vision for the future at https://www.vev.com.