Group Category Manager

Mortgage Advice Bureau; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contribution matching

Share save scheme

Retail discounts

Birthday off

Hybrid working

Derby office

Job summary

Mortgage Advice Bureau is seeking an experienced Group Category Manager for a permanent, full-time hybrid role with an office in Derby 2-3 days per week. The role offers up to £55,000 plus benefits.

You will own end-to-end category management, develop category strategies, drive commercial value, strengthen supplier performance and support long-term business goals. You’ll influence procurement decisions across the Group and work with stakeholders to deliver customer-focused outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading category management and developing category strategies.
• Proven track record delivering measurable commercial outcomes.
• Strong negotiation skills and supplier relationship management.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical skills and experience with procurement systems and spend data.
• Customer-first mindset balancing quality, cost and risk.
• Proactive, change-oriented and committed to continuous improvement.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent; CIPS desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end category management and strategy development.
• Develop category strategies to create commercial value and improve supplier performance.
• Influence procurement decisions across the Group model.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across Derby head office and Group functions.
• Drive cost optimisation and customer-focused outcomes.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Procurement systems

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

CIPS qualification (desirable)

Job description

Group Category Manager
Permanent, Full-time
Hybrid - 2-3 days at our Derby office
Up to £55,000 plus benefits

Shape Category Strategy. Drive Commercial Value. Deliver Better Outcomes.
We're looking for an experienced Category Management professional to join our Group Commercial team as a Group Category Manager.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has already built a successful career in category management and strategic sourcing, looking for a role where you can truly influence procurement outcomes across a complex Group model.

You’ll take ownership of end-to-end category management, developing and delivering category strategies that create commercial value, strengthen supplier performance and support long-term business goals. Working with stakeholders across the Group, you’ll use market insight, supplier expertise and commercial acumen to drive better decisions, optimise costs and deliver customer‑focused outcomes.

Working as part of a small, growing team, you’ll relish the opportunity to be part of a dynamic commercial function, reporting to our Procurement and Risk Supplier Manager.

If you're passionate about category management, enjoy building strategic supplier partnerships and want to play a key role in the continued development of a growing procurement function, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note: If you have already applied for this role, there is no need to submit another application.

About You

We're particularly interested in hearing from candidates who already have experience leading category management activities and developing category strategies.

You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in category management, strategic sourcing or procurement
• A track record of developing and implementing category strategies that deliver measurable commercial outcomes
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills with experience managing supplier relationships
• The ability to influence, engage and build credibility with stakeholders at all levels
• Strong analytical skills and experience using procurement systems and spend data to drive decisions
• A customer-first mindset, balancing quality, cost and risk considerations
• A proactive approach with the confidence to challenge the status quo, embrace change and drive continuous improvement
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
• Group or FTSE organisation experience would be desirable
• CIPS qualification would be desirable

Recruitment Process

1st stage: MS Teams interview with the hiring team

2nd stage: In-person interview at our Derby office with the hiring team

What’s In It For You?

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), 25 days annual leave (increasing to 28 with service) plus your birthday off, matched pension contribution (L&G), share save scheme (Equinity), retail discounts, free entertainment tickets, plus much more!
• Flexible working hours with hybrid working for Head Office roles (as agreed with your line manager)
• A wide range of Learning & Development offers, from 121 coaching to qualification support, helping you to grow and thrive in your career
• A supportive, inclusive culture with forums you're welcome to join from day 1, using your voice to make MAB an even better place to work

Everyone is Welcome

At MAB, we value different experiences and perspectives which adds diversity and value to our culture. As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, included and heard for who they are. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.

We are committed to reducing barriers in every stage of our recruitment process so everyone feels they can bring their best self when applying for new opportunities at MAB. If you’d like to hear how we can support you by adjusting our process, from application to interview and onboarding, please contact [e-mail].

Use of AI

We recognise that AI tools can be a helpful way to articulate your qualities, skills and experience when applying for roles. It’s important to us, however, that we see the real you throughout the recruitment process. We hire real people, not polished personas! We simply ask that you consider carefully how and where you use AI during your application, so we can hear your own thoughts and meet your authentic self.

Please note we are unable to consider candidates requiring visa sponsorship at this moment in time. We won't be accepting speculative CVs from recruitment agencies, with a full PSL in place.