Strategic Category Lead

WMJobs; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 5,500 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

LGPS

Generous annual leave

Staff benefits

Job summary

Birmingham City Council invites applications for a Category and Strategic Relationships Lead. The role focuses on developing evidence-based category strategies, delivering value for money, and strengthening supplier relationships across directorates.

Leading a procurement team, you will drive strategic sourcing, negotiations, and compliant governance, with hybrid working options and a clear path to senior leadership in the Commercial and Procurement Services.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading category management and strategic procurement.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation and governance.
• Experience developing evidence-based sourcing strategies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing category management team.
• Act as strategic commercial partner for multiple directorates.
• Develop evidence-based category strategies aligned to priorities.
• Lead market engagement, supplier relationships and sourcing activities.
• Use data to identify opportunities, manage risks and measure outcomes.
• Drive compliance with governance and legislative requirements.
• Promote continuous improvement through technology and insights.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Spend analysis

Leadership

CIPS Level 6

Education

A Level 6 CIPS Diploma

Job description

Birmingham City Council invites applications for a Category and Strategic Relationships Lead. The role focuses on developing evidence-based category strategies, delivering value for money, and strengthening supplier relationships across directorates.

Leading a procurement team, you will drive strategic sourcing, negotiations, and compliant governance, with hybrid working options and a clear path to senior leadership in the Commercial and Procurement Services.