Direct Category Manager

Michael Page Engineering & Manufacturing; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Travel to sites in South of England

Contract until year-end

Job summary

Michael Page Engineering & Manufacturing is seeking a Direct Category Manager to lead category strategies and supplier performance across direct spend areas in a manufacturing environment. The role emphasizes sourcing best practice, cost reduction, and collaboration with NPD and site requirements.

You will manage supplier performance, execute RFQs and negotiations, and deliver value through productivity initiatives, with a fully remote setup and occasional travel to sites in the South of England.

Qualifications

• Extensive background in procurement or sourcing experience in manufacturing/engineering environment.
• Demonstrated ability to run sourcing projects end-to-end and manage suppliers with discipline.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or related discipline.
• Availability to start a new role on short notice; UK-based and within reasonable distance of a major UK city.

Responsibilities

• Manages annual spend within assigned direct categories.
• Executes sourcing projects within the approved supplier panel and commercial frameworks.
• Manages supplier performance.
• Execute category strategy through RFQs, negotiations, and sourcing projects.
• Deliver cost reduction, value engineering, and productivity initiatives.
• Monitor cost, delivery, quality, and service KPIs for suppliers in scope.
• Lead supplier reviews and corrective action plans.
• Support supplier onboarding activities
• Maintain accurate pricing, contracts, and ERP data.
• Ensure compliance with sourcing governance and documentation requirements.

Skills

Procurement experience

Supplier management

Sourcing end-to-end

Sourcing projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or related discipline

Job description

The Direct Category Manager executes category strategies and manages supplier performance for allocated spend areas, supporting the wider procurement team. The role ensures sourcing best practice, competitive costing, and managing supplier performance while supporting NPD and manufacturing site requirements.

Client Details

An organisation within the industrial and manufacturing sector, with operations on a global scale.

Description

The Direct Category Manager role responsibilities include:

• Manages annual spend within assigned direct categories.
• Executes sourcing projects within the approved supplier panel and commercial frameworks.
• Manages supplier performance.
• Execute category strategy through RFQs, negotiations, and sourcing projects.
• Deliver cost reduction, value engineering, and productivity initiatives.
• Monitor cost, delivery, quality, and service KPIs for suppliers in scope.
• Lead supplier reviews and corrective action plans.
• Support supplier onboarding activities
• Maintain accurate pricing, contracts, and ERP data.
• Ensure compliance with sourcing governance and documentation requirements.

Profile

For this Direct Category Manager role you will need to be/have:

• Extensive background in procurement or sourcing experience in manufacturing/engineering environment.
• Demonstrated ability to run sourcing projects end-to-end and manage suppliers with discipline.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or related discipline.
• Availability to start a new role on short notice, you must also be based in the UK and situated within a reasonable distance of a major UK city.

Job Offer

• Daily rate of GBP400 to GBP550, dependent on the level of experience.
• Temporary contract until the end of the year initially.
• Fully remote role with the need to travel to some sites in the South of England.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we’ll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.