Indirect Procurement Category Lead — Hybrid Role

Arriva TrainCare; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

CrossCountry in Birmingham (Hybrid) is seeking a Category Manager – Indirect to lead a small procurement team and own end‑to‑end responsibilities from market engagement to contract award.

You will shape procurement strategies, manage both regulated and non‑regulated procurements, develop tender documents and evaluation frameworks, and drive value through supplier relationships, cost savings and governance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience compiling robust tender and commercial documentation.
• Experience running tenders and leading complex procurement activities.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of delivering commercial outcomes.
• Experience procuring direct and indirect goods and services in IT/rail/transport.
• Analytical skills with spend analysis and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a small procurement team within CrossCountry.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes including market engagement and tendering.
• Produce high-quality tender documents, evaluation frameworks and reports.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify best-fit solutions and value.
• Drive supplier performance and manage relationships.
• Identify cost savings and value-add opportunities.

Skills

Tender documentation

Tender management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Excel / data analysis

Education

CIPS membership (or working towards)

Tools

Purchase-to-Pay systems

Spend analytics tools

Job description

CrossCountry in Birmingham (Hybrid) is seeking a Category Manager – Indirect to lead a small procurement team and own end‑to‑end responsibilities from market engagement to contract award.

You will shape procurement strategies, manage both regulated and non‑regulated procurements, develop tender documents and evaluation frameworks, and drive value through supplier relationships, cost savings and governance across the organisation.