Marketing Category Assistant: Strategy & Sourcing

Co-op Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Holiday allowance (28–32 days)

Pension contributions up to 10%

Onsite gym discount

Cycle-to-work

Virtual healthcare

Job summary

Co-op Group in Manchester is hiring an Assistant Category Manager to join our Procurement team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role is hybrid, balancing home and office work as part of our policy.

You’ll manage marketing categories, drive spend analysis and supplier management, and develop category plans to maximise value for communities. Opportunity to grow within a values-led, member-owned organisation.

Qualifications

• Good interpersonal and communication skills with internal and external partners.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data using intermediate Excel skills.
• Experience in process improvement.
• Drive and tenacity in a fast-paced environment with changing deadlines.
• A passion for negotiation and commercial thinking.

Responsibilities

• Analyse spend and supplier data to identify trends and deliver value and improvements.
• Support the team in developing new processes and manage spend end-to-end.
• Help drive visibility, control and compliance across the category.
• Monitor savings against targets and flag risks or opportunities.
• Own market intelligence reporting and market analysis for category strategy.
• Execute sourcing strategies including tendering, analysis, selection and negotiation.
• Support procurement projects within the category team.
• Ensure contractual obligations with Co-op and suppliers follow governance and policies.
• Facilitate supplier meetings and prepare performance improvement plans.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Data analysis

Excel (intermediate)

Process improvement

Negotiation

Commercial thinking

Tools

Excel

Job description

Co-op Group in Manchester is hiring an Assistant Category Manager to join our Procurement team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role is hybrid, balancing home and office work as part of our policy.

You’ll manage marketing categories, drive spend analysis and supplier management, and develop category plans to maximise value for communities. Opportunity to grow within a values-led, member-owned organisation.