Interim Category Manager

1st Executive; City Of London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

1st Executive is seeking an experienced Strategic Category Manager with international expertise to develop category strategies, influence senior stakeholders and engage with international partners. The role sits within the Category Management Transformation function and supports major programmes in the public sector.

Based in London or Bristol with regular travel between locations, the role requires SC security clearance, a sole British passport, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering strategic category management in complex organisations.
• End-to-end commercial lifecycle knowledge from requirements definition through to supplier management.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and secure agreement on complex commercial decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and improvement of category strategies aligned with organisational priorities.
• Collaborate with international stakeholders to identify collaboration opportunities.
• Influence senior decision-makers and secure agreement on strategies.
• Analyse markets and trends to inform strategic procurement decisions.
• Champion category management adoption across the organisation.

Skills

Strategic category management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Market intelligence

Job description

Strategic Category Manager - International Relations

Major Public Sector Transformation Programme | Defence & International Partnerships

Location: London or Bristol
Contract: Until 31 March 2027
Security Clearance: SC Required
Travel: Regular travel between London and Bristol, averaging one day per week, with occasional UK and international travel.

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Category Manager with international expertise to play a pivotal role in developing category management strategies, influencing senior stakeholders and strengthening engagement with international partners.

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional procurement delivery and operate at a genuinely strategic level, influencing commercial decisions across complex, high-value programmes.

The Opportunity

Working within a dedicated Category Management Transformation function, you will help shape and implement category strategies across a diverse portfolio of nationally significant programmes.
You will collaborate with senior commercial and operational leaders, programme directors, international stakeholders and strategic suppliers to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, improved performance and long-term commercial value.
A particular focus will be strengthening international collaboration, sharing best practice and ensuring category strategies benefit from the capabilities, innovation and experience of international partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Category Management

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of category strategies aligned with organisational priorities and wider commercial objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement outcomes, supply chain resilience, operational performance and whole-life value.
• Develop category plans, identifying priorities, resource requirements, risks and opportunities.

International Engagement & Collaboration

• Develop relationships with international stakeholders and strategic partners to identify opportunities for collaboration, innovation and shared learning.
• Leverage international market intelligence and best practice to strengthen category management capabilities.
• Support the development of commercially robust strategies that reflect international cooperation and wider strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain capability and resilience through international engagement.

Senior Stakeholder Influence

• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, programme directors and commercial decision-makers.
• Act as a strategic commercial adviser, constructively challenging established approaches and influencing future procurement direction.
• Facilitate collaboration between commercial, operational and programme delivery functions.
• Secure stakeholder engagement and commitment to new category strategies and ways of working.

Commercial Intelligence & Market Engagement

• Analyse supplier markets, commercial trends, economic data and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions.
• Lead market intelligence activities and engagement with industry to identify opportunities for innovation and improved value.

Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Champion the adoption of category management principles across complex organisational environments.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial maturity, processes, governance and performance.
• Promote collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing across teams.

About You

We are particularly interested in engaging with commercially astute, strategically minded Category Managers who have experience navigating complex stakeholder environments and delivering meaningful commercial outcomes.
You will be comfortable operating with senior decision-makers, challenging established thinking and developing strategies that deliver measurable financial and non‑financial benefits.

Essential Experience & Capabilities

• Significant experience developing and delivering strategic category management initiatives within complex organisations or major programmes.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end commercial lifecycle, from requirements definition and market engagement through to sourcing strategy and supplier management.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and secure agreement on complex commercial decisions.
• Leadership experience, including the ability to guide, develop and influence others.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within central government, defence, infrastructure or similarly complex public sector environments.
• Experience engaging with international stakeholders, strategic partners or multinational organisations.

Additional Information

The role can be based in London or Bristol, with regular travel between the two locations, averaging approximately one day per week.
Occasional travel to other UK locations and international partner countries may also be required.
This is not offered as a fully homeworking contract.
Security Clearance at SC level is required and you need to hold a sole British passport.