Senior Category Specialist

North Lincolnshire Council; Scunthorpe; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Job summary

North Lincolnshire Council is seeking a Senior Category Specialist to influence strategic procurement across a large organisation. You will manage a portfolio with third-party expenditure up to £10 million, lead procurement projects and develop category strategies to drive value for money.

Join a Strategic Procurement & Contracts team, delivering innovative procurement solutions, scrutiny of governance and compliance, and opportunities for professional development in a flexible hybrid working

Qualifications

• Significant procurement and tendering experience in a large public sector.
• Experience developing category plans and contracting programmes.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to deliver value for money.
• Knowledge of procurement best practice and contract management approaches.
• Excellent analytical and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex procurement exercises and category management across diverse services.
• Develop category strategies and sourcing plans to improve value for money.
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to officers and elected members.
• Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations.
• Analyse markets, supplier performance and spend data to identify savings opportunities.
• Support contract management, supplier engagement and collaborative procurement initiatives.
• Deliver procurement training, guidance and best practice across the organisation.

Skills

Category management

Procurement strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Contract management

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Education

CIPS membership

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

Are you an experienced procurement professional looking for an opportunity to influence strategic commissioning and procurement activity across a large and diverse organisation?

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Category Specialist to join our Strategic Procurement & Contracts team on a temporary / fixed term basis, up to 12 months, and play a key role in delivering best value, commercial excellence, and innovative procurement solutions across the council.

About the Role

As a Senior Category Specialist, you will be responsible for managing a portfolio of procurement and category management activity with third-party expenditure of up to £10 million. Working across council services, you will lead procurement projects, develop category strategies, support contract management arrangements, and ensure compliance with procurement legislation and council governance requirements.

You will work closely with commissioners, managers, senior leaders, suppliers and partners to deliver innovative and cost-effective procurement solutions that achieve value for money and improve service outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex procurement exercises and category management activities across a diverse range of service areas.
• Develop and implement category strategies and sourcing plans to improve quality, efficiency and value for money.
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to officers, managers and elected members.
• Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations.
• Analyse markets, supplier performance and spend data to identify opportunities for improvement and savings.
• Support contract management, supplier engagement and collaborative procurement initiatives.
• Deliver procurement training, guidance and best practice across the organisation.

We are seeking a proactive and influential procurement professional who can build strong relationships, provide expert advice and drive continuous improvement.

You will have:

• Significant experience of procurement and tendering within a large and complex organisation, ideally within local government or the wider public sector.
• Experience of developing and delivering category plans and contracting programmes.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience of delivering value for money through effective procurement solutions.
• Knowledge of current procurement best practice, category management and contract management approaches.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to communicate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), or a willingness to work towards qualification.

Why Join Us?

At North Lincolnshire Council, you will have the opportunity to work on strategically important projects that directly support local communities and public services.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A supportive and collaborative working environment.

Candidates must be able to evidence their right to work in the UK. Please note the council does not hold a sponsor licence to sponsor people to work in the UK.