Strategic Category Lead – Public Sector Procurement

Birmingham City Council; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing initiatives

Staff benefits

Job summary

Birmingham City Council is recruiting an Associate Category Specialist to lead its Strategic Category Management function within the Commercial and Procurement Services. This permanent Grade 7 role drives category strategies to maximise value for Birmingham's residents and works with a team of category professionals.

The role requires substantial procurement leadership, MCIPS membership (or progress toward), and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a regulated public sector

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading strategic category management across complex procurement environments.
• Strong expertise in category strategy development, spend analysis and strategic sourcing.
• Experience in regulated/public sector procurement environments and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Strategic Category Management Team.
• Act as the Council's strategic expert for category management and sourcing.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the Council.
• Lead market analysis, spend cube analysis and opportunity assessments.
• Drive supplier engagement and manage commercial risks to realise benefits.
• Lead complex procurement activity for mid-range contracts with specialist teams.
• Champion continuous improvement through technology and AI in procurement.

Skills

Strategic category management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Spend analysis

Evidence-based sourcing

Public sector procurement

MCIPS (membership or progress)

Education

Full MCIPS membership (or equivalent)

Job description

Birmingham City Council is recruiting an Associate Category Specialist to lead its Strategic Category Management function within the Commercial and Procurement Services. This permanent Grade 7 role drives category strategies to maximise value for Birmingham's residents and works with a team of category professionals.

The role requires substantial procurement leadership, MCIPS membership (or progress toward), and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a regulated public sector