Assistant Category Manager

Costain Group PLC; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Assistant Category Manager to enhance procurement and supply chain functions. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive efficiency and innovation while managing supplier relationships and supporting strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong problem-solving skills, excellent communication abilities, and a solid understanding of category management processes. Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to delivering smart infrastructure solutions that improve lives across the UK. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the skills to excel in a dynamic environment, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in a similar role with proven procurement skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Support supplier relationship management and contract performance.
• Assist in developing procurement project plans and contract negotiations.
• Contribute to risk management plans for key suppliers.

Skills

Category Management Awareness

Digital Tools for Procurement

Stakeholder Management

Problem-Solving Skills

Communication Skills

Relationship Building

Numerical and Data Analysis

Procurement Skills

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

The Procurement and Supply Chain Management function is responsible for the interface with third-party organizations supporting our business, whether for procurement of goods and services or relationship management that underpins these activities. They support project delivery teams across sectors to ensure strategic direction is identified and delivered.

The Assistant Category Manager will assist in developing and delivering category projects and initiatives across Projects and Business Sectors within the Costain Group. This role involves supplier relationship management with Key, Strategic, and Preferred suppliers in selected categories.

The purpose of the role is to support the implementation of category strategy initiatives and project delivery within a category across the Costain Group, including make/buy assessments, delivering tangible value and benefits through pan-Group Category management. The Assistant Category Manager will help establish and deliver improvements aligned with Project, Business Unit, and Sector requirements, including those driven by future bid pipelines.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact by driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation within procurement and supply chain functions.

Responsibilities

1. Support the management of supplier relationships within the category and ensure contract performance & value delivery.
2. Assist in developing and managing procurement project and category implementation plans, ensuring effective supplier engagement with Costain site teams.
3. Support contract negotiations to ensure best value and stakeholder approval, maintaining adherence to the Delegation of Authority Manual (DAM).
4. Assist in implementing contractual frameworks that incentivize best practices and performance.
5. Maintain understanding of internal and external supply markets related to assigned categories and best practices.
6. Contribute to risk management plans for key suppliers and supply chains, including procurement project implementation and contract performance.
7. Contribute to long-term supplier strategies considering development areas, risks, and conflicts.
8. Support the Category Manager in development plans for continuous improvement or issue resolution.
9. Establish strong relationships with other P&SC teams, Sector P&SC colleagues, and Bid Support teams through networking.
10. Represent the Group Procurement function within the wider Costain P&SC community, sharing best practices.

Essential Qualifications

• Awareness of the Category Management process.
• Understanding of digital tools and technology for procurement and supply chain optimization.
• Strong experience in a similar role.
• Knowledge of change and stakeholder management.
• Ability to handle complexity and ambiguity, with problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Capability to challenge traditional ways of working positively.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate vision and strategic direction.
• Proven procurement skills to create value.
• Strong numerical, financial, and data analysis skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of Infrastructure Industry Procurement and Supply Chain Operations.
• Experience working within a matrix organization with influence at all levels.

About Us

Costain improves lives through innovative, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation, and defense sectors. We aim to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure company by focusing on large clients with strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation, or performance standards. Our services cover the entire asset lifecycle, including strategic consultancy, digital technology solutions, asset optimization, and complex program delivery. Our culture and values are central to our work.

We are a Disability Confident employer, often offering interviews to qualified applicants with disabilities. For more information, visit the Disability Confident Campaign.