Strategic Category Lead - Procurement (Hybrid)

Birmingham City Council; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work model

LGPS (Local Government Pension Scheme)

Generous annual leave entitlement

Wellbeing initiatives

Staff benefits

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is seeking an experienced Associate Category Lead to shape strategic procurement across a major local authority. You will develop evidence-based category strategies, lead procurement projects from strategy through to award, and build strong commercial partnerships to maximise value for Birmingham's residents.

You will influence decisions, deliver savings, and drive innovation while working within governance and ethical procurement standards.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering procurement or category management activities across the full lifecycle.
• Strong knowledge of category management and sourcing strategies.
• Experience analysing spend, supplier and market data to develop evidence-based sourcing strategies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience operating within governance frameworks and applying procurement legislation.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with data-driven decision-making.
• Willingness to work towards Level 5 CIPS Diploma.

Responsibilities

• Deliver strategic procurement through developing and implementing category management strategies.
• Lead medium-scale procurement projects from strategy to contract award.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers, providing commercial advice.
• Use supplier performance and market data to identify savings, innovation, and social value.
• Support contract negotiations and supplier performance management for long-term benefits.
• Produce procurement guidance and best-practice resources, leveraging technology and AI.
• Ensure procurement activity aligns with governance, assurance and ethical standards.

Skills

Category management

Procurement strategy

Stakeholder management

Spend analysis

Governance & compliance

Data-driven decision making

Education

Level 5 CIPS Diploma (desirable)

Job description

Birmingham City Council is seeking an experienced Associate Category Lead to shape strategic procurement across a major local authority. You will develop evidence-based category strategies, lead procurement projects from strategy through to award, and build strong commercial partnerships to maximise value for Birmingham's residents.

You will influence decisions, deliver savings, and drive innovation while working within governance and ethical procurement standards.