Senior Category Manager

Conventus Solutions Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Conventus Solutions Ltd seeks a Senior Category Manager in Bristol (2 days a week on-site). You will provide leadership to the Strategic Category Team, oversee Category Management activities, and own key categories. Deputise for the Head of Category as required and ensure forward load planning.

You will drive the Category Strategy, coordinate negotiations with suppliers, and manage risk across projects to deliver value in cost, quality and innovation.

Qualifications

• Leadership and people management experience at senior level.
• 3 years’ experience in Purchasing/Supply Chain with line management.
• MCIPS or working towards is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and development direction to the Strategic Category Team.
• Lead across all aspects of Category Management and own key areas.
• Support development and execution of Category Strategy to meet business objectives.
• Manage cost reduction strategies through to completion.
• Negotiate supplier agreements and mitigate commercial risks.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder influence

Negotiation

Communication

Supply chain knowledge

Team management

Strategic thinking

Cost reduction

Education

MCIPS (desirable) or working towards

Job description

Location: Bristol 2 days per week.

We are recruiting a Senior Category Manager who can see beyond the immediate category to the wider business context. Someone who understands how their decisions connect to broader commercial, operational and customer outcomes, not just category level. This is a role with genuine people leadership at its core. The successful candidate will manage a team of Category Managers, so strong, hands on team management skills (coaching, prioritising workload and developing capability within the team), are essential.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, management and development direction to the Strategic Category Team.
• Operate and provide leadership across all aspects of Category Management.
• Take category ownership of Category Management activities in key areas.
• Deputise for Head of Category as required.
• Maintain forward load planning for responsible areas.
• Ownership of Category's Strategic needs.
• Support development of the Category Strategy and executing plans to meet the business objectives.
• Manage Cost Reduction Strategies through to completion.
• Identify and mitigate supply and commercial risks throughout the Implementation Process.
• Optimise project deliverables consistent with the expectations and objectives surrounding quality, service, cost and innovation.
• Coordinate the negotiation of all key commercial data and supplier agreements relative to specific projects.

Skills and Experience:

• Leadership and management skills: ability to develop and best utilise skill sets to deliver business and individual objectives.
• Senior Category Manager
• Proven ability to persuade, influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communicator at all levels across all media.
• Good understanding of supply chain management and procurement, including best practise purchasing and sourcing tools and techniques.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• 3 years' experience in a relevant Purchasing/Supply Chain environment at Line Management Level is desirable.
• MCIPS qualified or working towards, or equivalent qualification is desirable.

Security Clearance Requirement

Please note that candidates must have resided in the UK for 3 years to meet BPSS eligibility requirements