Senior Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

National Express; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transportation company is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead procurement strategies across diverse indirect spend categories. This role involves strong stakeholder engagement, strategic sourcing, and delivering measurable savings. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in procurement and a proactive, problem-solving mindset. Join us in reshaping procurement and enhancing competitive advantage.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in leading indirect procurement categories within a mid-to-large organisation.
• Proven ability to implement effective Category Management strategies.
• Strong sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and contract negotiations across a broad range of indirect categories.
• Develop and own group-wide category strategies, delivering measurable savings, value, and innovation.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across departments and geographies.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier management

Procurement process improvement

Job description

Join us on the Journey...

Senior Category Manager – Indirect Procurement

Location: Birmingham / London / Hybrid

Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Car Allowance

Contract Type: Permanent

Company: Mobico Group

Join a journey of transformation at Mobico Group – the world's leading transportation company.

We’re reimagining how procurement drives value. From strategic negotiation to innovative supplier partnerships, our Group Procurement function is evolving — and we want you to be part of it.

As a Senior Category Manager, you’ll lead end-to-end category strategies across a diverse portfolio of indirect spend areas — including Technology, Marketing, Facilities Management, HR, and Professional Services. You’ll be accountable for delivering commercial value, reducing risk, and aligning stakeholders across Mobico Group.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead strategic sourcing and contract negotiations across a broad range of indirect categories
• Develop and own group-wide category strategies, delivering measurable savings, value, and innovation
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships across departments and geographies
• Drive supplier performance, ensure contract compliance, and implement governance best practices
• Identify commercial opportunities, drive process improvements, and enhance procurement influence across the business
• Contribute to Procurement’s transformation through better tools, data, and reporting
• Where applicable, coach and develop Category Managers, raising performance and capability across the team

What You’ll Bring:

• Demonstrated success in leading indirect procurement categories within a mid-to-large organisation
• Proven ability to implement effective Category Management strategies
• Strong sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management expertise
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and drive alignment in a complex, matrixed environment
• Experience in procurement process improvement and compliance delivery
• A growth mindset, with a proactive, hands-on approach to problem-solving and value generation

Who You Are:

A tenacious, forward-thinking professional who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo. You're commercially driven, thrive under pressure, and have a passion for unlocking value. You see procurement not as a function, but as a strategic enabler of competitive advantage.

Be part of something bigger.

Join us in reshaping procurement at Mobico Group.

Things to Note...

At National Express, we are really proud of our health and safety record and as a result, we operate a Drugs and Alcohol Policy which is applicable to all employees.

As part of your initial assessment, we will complete Drug and Alcohol testing and you may be subject to random tests during your employment.