Senior Category Manager

Sanderson Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in the UK is seeking a Senior Category Manager with strong experience in category management and strategic sourcing. The role involves owning and delivering category strategies, managing high-value contracts, and leading supplier relationships to drive business value. Ideal candidates will excel in stakeholder management and possess a proactive, delivery-focused mindset. This position offers competitive remuneration and is based in Reading, requiring presence 3 days a week.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in category management and strategic sourcing.
• Proven ability to manage high-value, complex contracts and supplier relationships.
• Confident stakeholder manager, able to influence at all levels.
• Experience working within structured procurement frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver category strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Lead complex sourcing activity end to end.
• Act as the commercial lead for categories throughout the lifecycle.
• Manage and develop key suppliers, driving performance and managing risk.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Job description

Senior Category Manager - SC Cleared

Duration: 12 Months

Rate: 450-£550 Outside IR35

Clearance: SC Clearance

Location: Reading 3 days per week

We're looking for a commercially sharp Category Manager to own and deliver category strategies across a defined portfolio. You'll balance short-term savings with long-term value, drive competitive sourcing, and build strong, performance-led supplier relationships that directly support the organisation's wider objectives. This is a role for someone who's confident operating in complexity - shaping strategy, leading sourcing activity end-to-end, and providing commercial assurance across high-value, high-risk contracts.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own and deliver category strategies, aligned to business priorities, cost efficiency targets, and long-term value creation
• Lead complex sourcing activity end to end – RFx, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract award and handover
• Act as the commercial lead for your categories, providing contractual and commercial assurance throughout the lifecycle
• Manage and develop key and critical suppliers, driving performance, managing risk, and unlocking additional value
• Lead supplier engagement at senior levels, including Management and Executive Business Reviews
• Embed robust supplier segmentation, performance management, and risk mitigation practices
• Provide market insight, benchmarking, and business intelligence to inform category decisions
• Forecast spend, manage commercial risk, and assess the impact of change across contracts
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and service centres to ensure seamless delivery and governance

What You'll Bring

• Strong experience in category management and strategic sourcing
• Proven ability to manage high-value, complex contracts and supplier relationships
• Commercially astute, with a clear understanding of total cost of ownership and lifecycle value
• Confident stakeholder manager, able to influence at all levels
• Experience working within structured procurement or category management frameworks
• A proactive, delivery-focused mindset with strong commercial judgement

Reasonable Adjustments

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.