Procurement Category Lead

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

29 days annual leave

Free regional travel (All-Zone Metro)

Flexible/hybrid working

Employee assistance programme

Westfield Health programme

Bike to Work

Learning & development finance

Job summary

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is seeking a commercially minded Procurement Category Lead to shape and deliver category strategies that drive growth, innovation and inclusive prosperity across the Liverpool City Region.

You will lead procurement activity, manage complex sourcing and contracts, and work with stakeholders to deliver value for money and social, economic and environmental outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading procurement projects and sourcing exercises.
• Knowledge of procurement legislation and governance.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing category strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Leading complex sourcing and procurement activities from market engagement through to contract award.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders to understand business needs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Delivering savings, efficiencies and social value outcomes.
• Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and internal governance requirements.
• Supporting the continuous development and modernisation of the procurement function

Skills

Category management

Sourcing

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Procurement legislation

Negotiation

Communication

Continuous improvement

Job description

To help make Liverpool City region the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind

• Employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time
• Hours: 35 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 16/09/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: RES/26/343569

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority at a transformative time for both our organisation and the public procurement profession.

As a Procurement Category Lead, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering category strategies that support the Combined Authority's ambitions for growth, innovation and inclusive prosperity across the Liverpool City Region. Working closely with stakeholders, suppliers and colleagues across the organisation, you will lead the procurement and commercial activity within your category area, ensuring value for money whilst delivering broader social, economic and environmental outcomes.

You will have the opportunity to influence significant programmes and projects that directly impact our communities, from transport and infrastructure to regeneration and public services. Your work will help ensure public funds are invested wisely, sustainably and transparently, creating lasting benefits for the 1.6 million people who call the Liverpool City Region home.

As part of our journey towards a more strategic, modern and commercially focused procurement function, you will help drive innovation, embed category management best practice and support the implementation of new systems, processes and ways of working. This is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by helping shape how procurement delivers value across the organisation for years to come.

Key responsibilities will include :

• Developing and implementing category strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Leading complex sourcing and procurement activities from market engagement through to contract award.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders to understand business needs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Delivering savings, efficiencies and social value outcomes.
• Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and internal governance requirements.
• Supporting the continuous development and modernisation of the procurement function

About the person

We are looking for a commercially minded procurement professional who is passionate about making a difference through public sector procurement.

You will be someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, building trusted relationships with stakeholders whilst confidently leading procurement activity in a fast-paced and evolving environment. You will enjoy influencing change, challenging the status quo and finding innovative solutions that improve outcomes for customers, communities and the organisation.

The successful candidate will bring experience of category management, sourcing and contract management, together with a strong understanding of procurement legislation and governance. Just as importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help shape the future of procurement at the Combined Authority and contribute to the wider success of the Liverpool City Region.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Experience of leading procurement projects and sourcing exercises.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to develop and implement category strategies that deliver measurable benefits.
• Commercial acumen and a focus on achieving value for money.
• Knowledge of public procurement legislation and best practice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and professional development.

Whether you are an experienced Category Manager seeking a new challenge or an ambitious procurement professional ready to take the next step, this role offers a genuine opportunity to shape a growing function, influence organisational strategy and deliver outcomes that improve the lives of people across the Liverpool City Region.

Join us and help build a modern procurement function that delivers value beyond cost, supports regional growth and creates a lasting positive impact for future generations.

About the organisation

The Liverpool City Region is world-famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing - growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.

The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation-led economy. We are seizing the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK - investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure. Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind.

• Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
• Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
• Flexible and hybrid working
• 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
• Automatic enrolment to our Westfield Health Programme
• Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest free learning loan for any non-job-related learning

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background,are care experienced (whether through foster care, residential care, supported living, kinship care, live-in care, home care or adoption),are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under-represented by people from these communities.

To be considered under one of these schemes, you must indicate your eligibility in the relevant section of the application form. In addition, you must clearly demonstrate in your application how you meet the key essential criteria listed above.

Applications that do not include this evidence will not be considered under the guaranteed interview schemes.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Role can be eligible for sponsorship

We actively promote diversity and inclusion. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. We recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa