Senior Category Manager - Strategic Sourcing & Leadership

Pertemps Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

Private Medical Health Care

Pension scheme

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Senior Category Manager to drive category development and strategic sourcing within the Procurement and Supplier Management team. You will engage with internal stakeholders at all levels, shape category plans, and lead major sourcing events to maximise value.

In this role you will manage supplier relationships, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to risk management and compliance. The position is based in Reading with hybrid working patterns and a 36-hour week.

Qualifications

• Experience in complex supply chains.
• Experience in a Category Manager role in a complex environment.
• Experience with key suppliers at senior level.
• Track record in continuous improvement and delivering targets.
• Good understanding of Category Management concepts.
• Ability to use data sources for category planning and market insight.

Responsibilities

• Lead category development for spend areas and shape category approach.
• Identify and prioritise sourcing pipelines and lead major category projects.
• Manage supplier relationships and drive innovations and improvements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across Commercial and organisation.
• Support risk management and ensure compliance with processes.
• Operate information systems and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Category management

Sourcing

Negotiation

Influence & communication

Job description

Thames Water is seeking a Senior Category Manager to drive category development and strategic sourcing within the Procurement and Supplier Management team. You will engage with internal stakeholders at all levels, shape category plans, and lead major sourcing events to maximise value.

In this role you will manage supplier relationships, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to risk management and compliance. The position is based in Reading with hybrid working patterns and a 36-hour week.