Strategic Category Manager - Maritime Tech & Defence

CIH International Housing Group; Southampton; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean Infinity is hiring a Category Manager to bridge procurement and a broad set of internal stakeholders, supporting fast-paced maritime robotics projects. The role focuses on strategy, sourcing, contracting and delivery of supply solutions, reporting to the Procurement Senior Manager.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in procurement, is MCIPS-qualified (or equivalent), and can lead a small team while ensuring governance and value through TCO and market insights.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in procurement with ownership of categories and relationships.
• Experience across full procurement lifecycle with project/operational stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across multiple functions.
• Security clearance (BPSS) is required.
• Proven people leadership in a small team.

Responsibilities

• Own category strategies for defined spend areas and translate into sourcing pipelines and contracting plans.
• Act as procurement single point of contact for projects, interfacing with project managers, engineers and budget holders.
• Build and manage stakeholder relationships with cost, schedule, quality, ESG and risk alignment.
• Shape demand into sourcing strategies, RFx activity and supply execution plans.
• Lead complex sourcing and negotiations with robust commercial recommendations.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Supplier relationships

Negotiation

Leadership

Risk management

Education

MCIPS qualification

Security clearance BPSS

Tools

NetSuite

e-sourcing

Contract management

Procurement analytics

Job description

Ocean Infinity is hiring a Category Manager to bridge procurement and a broad set of internal stakeholders, supporting fast-paced maritime robotics projects. The role focuses on strategy, sourcing, contracting and delivery of supply solutions, reporting to the Procurement Senior Manager.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in procurement, is MCIPS-qualified (or equivalent), and can lead a small team while ensuring governance and value through TCO and market insights.