Senior Category Manager

Public Sector Resourcing; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking X2 Senior Category Managers for a hybrid role based in Manchester, Darlington, or Sheffield. Responsibilities include delivering the commercial strategy, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring compliance with procurement laws. Candidates should possess strong engagement skills, research abilities, and be proficient in data analysis. This contract lasts until 31/3/26 and is only available for those within the UK. The role promotes inclusivity for candidates with disabilities and veterans.

Qualifications

• Strong supplier engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent research and fact-finding abilities.
• Proficient in data gathering and analysis.
• Skilled in scoping market suppliers.
• Confident in creating impactful PowerPoint presentations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the commercial strategy for your category.
• Lead end-to-end commercial lifecycle activities.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• Manage data capture and reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with public procurement law.

Skills

Supplier engagement

Research and fact-finding

Data analysis

PowerPoint presentation skills

Organizational skills

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

On behalf of The Department for Education, we are looking for a X2 Senior Category Managers (Inside IR35) for a hybrid contract up until 31/3/26 based out of Manchester, Darlington or Sheffield.

The successful candidate will be based 60% in the office and the remaining 40% working from home.

Transport matters and what we do at the Department for Transport matters. Click [1] here here to find out more about working for DfT and its agencies. We are different people, one team.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the commercial strategy for your category through market insight, supplier engagement, and contract management.
• Lead end-to-end commercial lifecycle activities, including pre-market engagement and project mobilisation.
• Build and maintain strong supplier and stakeholder relationships to ensure quality service and continuous improvement.
• Manage data capture and reporting requirements while contributing to category savings plans.
• Ensure compliance with public procurement law and DfE commercial policies throughout all processes.

Essential Qualifications

• Strong supplier engagement and relationship-building skills
• Excellent research and fact-finding abilities, both desk-based and through stakeholder interaction
• Proficient in data gathering, analysis, and interpretation, with the ability to present insights clearly
• Skilled in scoping market suppliers, understanding spend, products, and category landscapes
• Confident in creating and delivering impactful PowerPoint presentations to explain categories and efficiencies
• Ability to manage risk, make assumptions, and develop plans to deliver programmes of work
• Self-starter with strong organisational skills, capable of working independently and collaboratively in a team
• Comfortable working remotely and engaging with schools and stakeholders to identify efficiencies
• Proficient in excel and PowerPoint

Desirable

• Proven experience in managing procurements using a variety of routes to market
• Demonstrated ability to oversee procurement across the full commercial lifecycle, including contract and supplier management

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DfT guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DfT guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".