Junior Category Manager

Equal Approach Limited; Perth; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% bonus

Private healthcare discounts

Cycle to Work

Family entitlements

Job summary

SSE is seeking a Junior Category Manager to shape the central Infrastructure & Equipment category strategies across Inspection & Testing Services and Maintenance, Repair & Operations. The role covers a variety of goods and services and focuses on developing category plans.

You will engage with stakeholders and suppliers, drive value through sourcing strategies, manage framework agreements, and monitor spend to reduce total cost of ownership in a hybrid Scottish environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in Procurement and supplier contracts; negotiating terms and costs.
• Familiarity with formal sourcing processes and risk management.
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder management across business levels.
• Strong analytical skills to draw insights from data and identify opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of category strategies across Infrastructure & Equipment.
• Drive spend under management and reduce total cost of ownership.
• Engage with stakeholders and suppliers to secure value through sourcing strategies.
• Manage frameworks and monitor supplier performance and compliance.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing strategies

Stakeholder management

Spend analysis

Cost optimization

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Base Location: You’ll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations, Glasgow/Perth.

Salary: £44,000 – £65,900 + 10% performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

An exciting permanent opportunity has arisen for a Junior Category Manager to work within the central Infrastructure & Equipment Category Management team. Working principally across the categories of Inspection & Testing Services and Maintenance, Repair & Operations, this role will cover a variety of goods and services. A fundamental aspect of this role is to contribute to the development and maturity of the category strategies, whilst ensuring that SSE group requirements are captured and fulfilled.

You will:

• Report directly into the Senior Category Manager for Inspection & Testing and Maintenance, Repair & Operations. You will support the development and implementation of the category strategies and drive the increase in the level of spend under management, whilst driving down the total cost of ownership for the organisation.
• Be responsible, with support from the Category Manager, for conducting internal and external analysis and engaging effectively with stakeholders to drive value creation opportunities for the categories e.g. sourcing strategies, process improvements, renegotiation strategies, dispute resolution etc.
• Proactively engage with numerous stakeholders and suppliers throughout the end-to end procurement lifecycle to secure the most appropriate and innovative outcomes, whilst maximising value opportunities. Be accountable for key framework agreements and preferred suppliers – enhancing visibility and promoting their use across all business units.
• Be responsible for analysing the spend per category to detail key information, such as savings, strategic importance to the organisation, level of risk, or lack of compliance with the category plan. Accountabilities will also include managing the suppliers ability to comply with their contractual obligations as well as reducing risk and improving sustainability to improve the quality and reliability of the supply chain.
• Contribute to maximizing touchless procurement through buying channel optimization and guided buying initiatives. Have an understanding of the category taxonomy and how to optimise.

You will ideally have:

• A proven track record in Procurement, ideally CIPS qualified. Relevant experience in negotiating costs, contractual terms and relevant performance measures for supplier contracts.
• Experience of formal sourcing processes and have knowledge of relevant contractual risks and how to manage/ mitigate these.
• Excellent influencing and stakeholder management skills that enable you to comfortably work across all levels within the business, whilst having the confidence to challenge the norm and think creatively
• Great commercial awareness, be self-motivated, and have strong analytical skills. Being able to draw insights from data and realise opportunities would be desirable.
• The ability to be comfortable working to deadlines, being able to change priorities whilst managing own time effectively.

About SSE

SSEs purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

Our Procurement & Commercial teams help us get the best service and value from partners, while ensuring suppliers meet compliance, contractual and business obligations.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact 01738 344763 to discuss how we can support you.

We’re dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.