Senior Category Manager

Procurement Heads Ltd; Ashford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave (+ bank holidays)

Onsite childcare facilities

Company pension scheme

Staff communications app

Wellbeing and discount platform

Subsidised canteen and travel options

Access to Blue Light Card

Discounts on travel, accommodation, &

Ongoing training and development

Job summary

Procurement Heads Ltd. is seeking a Senior Category Manager for Facilities & Estates in Ashford, Kent, with 2-3 onsite days. The role leads a four-person team and shapes procurement strategy across complex hospitalSite services, including maintenance, catering, and logistics. Salary £55,000-£65,000, permanent role, full-time.

The ideal candidate will drive supplier performance, ensure governance, and engage with senior stakeholders to deliver measurable value.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years’ senior-level experience in category or contract management.
• A degree in business, management, or a related field.
• MCIPS qualification (or working towards).
• Proven success in negotiation, tendering, and project delivery.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Expertise in capital procurement, contracting, and electronic procurement systems.
• NHS procurement experience (desirable but not essential).

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Lead a team of four, fostering a culture that champions the strategic value of procurement.
• Category Strategy: Develop and implement category management strategies aligned with organisational goals, driving continuous improvement.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure procurement activities adhere to relevant legislation, directives, and internal policies.
• Project & Contract Management: Oversee complex procurement projects, applying specialist knowledge to maximise cost savings and mitigate risk.
• Supplier Performance: Drive improvements through strategic sourcing, contract management, and supply chain optimisation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, influencing procurement decisions and promoting best practice.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Tendering

Project delivery

Strategic thinking

Communication

Influencing

Education

Degree in business/management or related field

MCIPS qualification (or working towards)

Tools

MS Office

Procurement platforms

Electronic procurement systems

Job description

Senior Category Manager – Facilities & Estates

Location: Ashford, Kent (2-3 days a week onsite expected)

Salary: £55,000 - £65,000

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

We are delighted to be partnering with a leading provider of Facilities and Estates services to the healthcare sector in East Kent. This organisation plays a vital role in supporting frontline healthcare professionals across multiple hospital sites, delivering essential services such as maintenance, cleaning, catering, procurement, and logistics.

As part of their continued investment in strategic procurement, we are seeking an experienced Senior Category Manager to lead the Facilities and Estates category. This is a high-impact role, based at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, offering the opportunity to shape procurement strategy and deliver tangible value across a complex and critical service area.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development: Lead a team of four, fostering a culture that champions the strategic value of procurement.


• Category Strategy: Develop and implement category management strategies aligned with organisational goals, driving continuous improvement.


• Compliance & Governance: Ensure procurement activities adhere to relevant legislation, directives, and internal policies.


• Project & Contract Management: Oversee complex procurement projects, applying specialist knowledge to maximise cost savings and mitigate risk.


• Supplier Performance: Drive improvements through strategic sourcing, contract management, and supply chain optimisation.


• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, influencing procurement decisions and promoting best practice.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a dynamic and commercially astute procurement professional with:

• A minimum of 3 years’ senior-level experience in category or contract management.


• A degree in business, management, or a related field.


• MCIPS qualification (or working towards).


• Proven success in negotiation, tendering, and project delivery.


• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.


• Expertise in capital procurement, contracting, and electronic procurement systems.


• NHS procurement experience (desirable but not essential).

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.


• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.


• Proficient in MS Office and procurement platforms.


• Ability to manage commercial opportunities and deliver measurable outcomes.

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave (rising to 28 after 3 years) + bank holidays


• Option to buy or sell annual leave


• Company pension scheme


• Onsite childcare facilities


• Staff communications app


• Wellbeing and discount platform


• Subsidised canteen and travel options


• Access to Blue Light Card


• Discounts on travel, accommodation, fashion, entertainment, and more


• Ongoing training and development opportunities