Procurement Category Specialist - Engineering

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A global engineering organization is seeking a Procurement Category Specialist to manage end-to-end procurement across special gases and chemicals. This role involves negotiating high-value contracts and developing category strategies, requiring 3-5 years' procurement experience and strong stakeholder engagement skills. The ideal candidate will thrive in a hybrid work environment, with opportunities for visibility and growth within the company. Competitive salary of £50,000-£56,000 plus benefits is offered for this position based in the UK.

Benefits

10% annual bonus

Hybrid working (2 days per week on site)

Clear progression path into a senior procurement position

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' procurement experience with direct spend.
• Confident stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Strong negotiation ability and commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Build, develop and manage supplier relationships.
• Negotiate pricing and contract agreements.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Procurement experience

Analytical skills

Supplier relationship management

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience

CIPS qualification (or currently studying)

Job description

Procurement Category Specialist - Global Engineering & Industrial Organisation

Locations: Manchester / Surrey / Yorkshire (Hybrid: 2 days per week on site)

Salary: £50,000-£56,000 +Discretionary bonus + excellent benefits

Category Spend: c. £50m

Step into a high-impact role within one of the world's most respected engineering organisations, operating at the cutting edge of chemicals, gases and technical manufacturing. This is a standout opportunity for a rising procurement professional looking to accelerate their career within a complex, strategic, and commercially critical category.

You will manage end-to-end procurement activity across special gases, packaged gases, electronic gases and chemicals, blending strategic category ownership with hands‑on delivery. Expect exposure to high-value negotiations, supplier optimisation, cross‑functional stakeholder influence, and international collaboration across EMEA.

If you're driven, commercially sharp, and ready to develop into a true category leader, this role will give you depth, visibility, and progression you won't easily find elsewhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies aligned to business priorities, productivity targets and risk mitigation
• Lead value improvement initiatives (cost optimisation, alternative sourcing, process efficiencies, value engineering)
• Build, develop and manage supplier relationships, driving continuous improvement and innovation
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support category growth and resilience
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms and contract agreements
• Conduct robust market and supply analysis to monitor trends, regulation, and competitive positioning
• Ensure strong governance, contract compliance and risk management
• Oversee procurement lifecycle activities including contract drafting, review and execution
• Manage supplier KPIs and performance reviews, implementing corrective actions where necessary
• Champion total cost of ownership thinking and challenge historic practices
• Work closely with supply chain, logistics, planning and operations teams to support business continuity
• Engage with senior leaders (Finance, BU Heads, Operations, Supply Chain) to align procurement strategy and delivery
• Collaborate across EMEA/global procurement networks to leverage best practice and scale advantages

About You

You're a proactive, curious and commercially driven procurement professional with foundational experience and a desire to develop into a strategic category leader.

Essential

• 3-5 years' procurement experience (direct spend)
• Confident stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Proven experience supporting both tactical and strategic procurement activity
• Strong negotiation ability and commercial acumen
• Comfortable navigating complex environments with multiple priorities
• Exposure to international suppliers or multi‑regional markets

Desirable

• Experience within chemicals, industrial gases, special gases, technical or engineering categories
• Degree or equivalent professional experience
• CIPS qualification (or currently studying)
• Understanding of contract drafting and management
• Background in industrial, manufacturing or engineering environments

What's on Offer

• £50,000-£58,000 base salary
• 10% annual bonus
• Hybrid working (2 days per week on site)
• Occasional UK travel (minimal global travel)
• Meaningful ownership of a specialist, high‑value category
• Clear progression path into a senior procurement position

Why This Role?

• Visibility: Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision‑making
• Growth: The organisation actively develops procurement talent into senior roles
• Scale: Work within a global function and learn best practice from a world‑class procurement network
• Impact: Every project you deliver will be measurable, commercial, and business‑critical

Interview Process

• Initial 30‑45 min call: CV overview, motivations, capability alignment
• Final panel interview: Technical, behavioural, and scenario‑based assessment

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're ambitious, commercially minded and excited by the prospect of owning a technical, high‑value category in a global engineering business, we'd love to hear from you. This role offers genuine development, senior support, and the opportunity to make a visible impact from day one.

Apply now and build a procurement career with scale, purpose and progression.