Strategic Procurement & Category Lead

Go Traffic Management Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Go Traffic Management Limited in Worsley is seeking a Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing, supplier management and spend analysis across Network Plus operations. You will drive cost reduction opportunities and ensure suppliers deliver value, quality, and service aligned to business objectives.

The successful candidate will be commercially focused, highly analytical and capable of managing both strategic and operational procurement activities.

Qualifications

• Procurement and buying experience.
• Proven track record delivering commercial savings and value improvements.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Experience leading supplier negotiations and tender exercises.
• Experience managing contracts and supplier relationships.
• Advanced Excel and procurement reporting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies across assigned spend categories.
• Lead supplier negotiations and contract renewals.
• Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance and value improvement initiatives.
• Analyse spend data to identify consolidation, standardisation and commercial opportunities.
• Monitor market conditions, supplier trends and industry developments to support procurement decision making.
• Support category strategy development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop collaborative relationships with key suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed service, quality and commercial KPIs.
• Support supplier performance reviews and improvement plans where required.
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks relating to financial stability, operational resilience and compliance.
• Support supplier onboarding and due diligence activities.
• Produce detailed spend analysis, supplier performance reports and procurement management information.
• Develop dashboards and insights to support strategic decision making.
• Use data to challenge existing practices and influence business stakeholders.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities across procurement categories.
• Support contract negotiations, renewals and supplier governance activities.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with internal policies and delegated authorities.
• Assist in managing supplier compliance, contractual obligations and commercial disputes.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, contract registers and sourcing documentation.
• Build strong relationships with operational, commercial, finance and functional teams.
• Act as a trusted commercial adviser to stakeholders across the business.
• Promote early procurement engagement to maximise value and minimise risk.
• Support project mobilisation and delivery by ensuring suppliers are engaged effectively.

Skills

Procurement experience

Cost savings

Spend analysis

Supplier negotiations

Tender management

Contract management

Excel

Education

CIPS Level 4 or above

Tools

ERP systems

Business Central

Proactis

Job description

Go Traffic Management Limited in Worsley is seeking a Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing, supplier management and spend analysis across Network Plus operations. You will drive cost reduction opportunities and ensure suppliers deliver value, quality, and service aligned to business objectives.

The successful candidate will be commercially focused, highly analytical and capable of managing both strategic and operational procurement activities.