Senior Indirect Buyer & Category Strategy Lead

Michael Page; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + Bonus

Hybrid working - Oxfordshire

Opportunity to develop within a growth

Job summary

Michael Page are partnering with a manufacturing client in Oxfordshire to recruit a Senior Indirect Buyer / Category Manager. You will develop category strategies across indirect spends, lead end-to-end sourcing and supplier negotiations, and drive value across multiple sites.

This high-visibility role requires excellent stakeholder engagement, the ability to influence decisions, and strong contract governance to deliver sustainable savings and compliant procurement.

Qualifications

• A proven track record working as an Indirect category manager or senior buyer.
• Proven success managing indirect spend categories within a multi-site or complex organisation.
• Experience delivering strategic sourcing, tendering and supplier management programmes.
• Strong contract negotiation and commercial evaluation skills.
• Ideally, experience using ERP and procurement systems such as SAP and/or Ariba.
• Advanced analytical skills and confidence working with spend and supplier performance data.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ideally, a degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Engineering or a related discipline.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies across multiple indirect category spends and Project-related spend.
• Analyse spend data, market trends and supplier capabilities to identify cost reduction and value creation opportunities.
• Lead sourcing activities including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, tender management, bid evaluation and contract award.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing structures, service levels and contractual terms.
• Identify opportunities to leverage spend and standardise suppliers across multiple locations.
• Manage supplier performance through KPI reviews, SLA monitoring and regular business reviews.
• Drive contract compliance and ensure effective supplier governance.
• Challenge specifications and stakeholder requirements to secure commercially effective solutions.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and act as a trusted procurement business partner.
• Support risk management and business continuity initiatives within the supply base.Ensure all procurement activity complies with company policies, governance requirements and regulatory standards.

Skills

Indirect procurement

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Sourcing

Contract negotiation

Education

Procurement/Supply Chain degree

CIPS qualification (desirable)

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Job description

Michael Page are partnering with a manufacturing client in Oxfordshire to recruit a Senior Indirect Buyer / Category Manager. You will develop category strategies across indirect spends, lead end-to-end sourcing and supplier negotiations, and drive value across multiple sites.

This high-visibility role requires excellent stakeholder engagement, the ability to influence decisions, and strong contract governance to deliver sustainable savings and compliant procurement.