Senior Indirect Procurement Category Manager - Hybrid

XC Trains Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Arriva in Birmingham seeks a Category Manager - Indirect to lead a small procurement team and own end-to-end procurement, including market engagement, tender management and supplier relationships. You will drive value-for-money strategies, underpin governance, and support regulatory compliance under the Procurement Act 2023.

The role requires strong negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision making to deliver cost savings and improved supplier performance in a hybrid working

Qualifications

• Proven experience compiling robust tender and commercial documentation.
• Experience running tenders and leading complex procurement activities.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of delivering commercial outcomes.
• Experience procuring direct and indirect goods and services – ideally IT, rail or transport.
• Advanced Excel and spend analysis capabilities.
• Membership of CIPS (or working towards it).

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a small team reporting to the Head of Procurement & Property.
• Implement and continuously improve procurement processes to ensure compliant operations.
• Shape procurement strategies that deliver value for money, including supplier consolidation and innovation.
• Build and maintain an aligned procurement pipeline to meet business needs.
• Manage major procurement projects – regulated and non-regulated – with high-quality tender documents and reports.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand needs and identify best-fit solutions.
• Foster strong supplier relationships and ensure adherence to contractual terms with legal teams.
• Drive supplier performance, address non-conformances, and promote continuous improvement.

Skills

Tender management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

Spend analysis

Strategic procurement

Supplier relationship management

Leadership

Education

CIPS membership (or working towards)

Tools

Purchase-to-Pay systems

Job description

Arriva in Birmingham seeks a Category Manager - Indirect to lead a small procurement team and own end-to-end procurement, including market engagement, tender management and supplier relationships. You will drive value-for-money strategies, underpin governance, and support regulatory compliance under the Procurement Act 2023.

The role requires strong negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decision making to deliver cost savings and improved supplier performance in a hybrid working