Category Manager

Category Manager
Category Manager required to join the growing procurement function of a large and complex enterprise business that is serving millions of customers!
In this exciting Category Manager role, you will work across the full end-to-end procurement cycle for your category, managing a portfolio of suppliers, carrying out market analysis, leading and evaluating tenders and developing and executing strategies that will ensure the business is market-leading in its commercial arrangement.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a Category Manager who is looking for the next step up in their career and you will get to join a supportive, collaborative team where you will have the trust and autonomy to deliver and realise benefits for the business.
Day-to-day you will be responsible for:

• Managing a portfolio of suppliers to ensure expectations are met and supporting these suppliers in delivering additional value
• Building up strong knowledge of your category and supplying market insight to internal stakeholders
• Formulating, getting buy-in, delivering and executing category strategies and sourcing events
• Providing support to the Category Lead/SME and identifying/managing category-level risk
• Becoming the commercial expert for the category enabling the business to quickly adapt to any market changes.
• Engaging proactively with internal stakeholders to shape category approach, business needs, spend and suppliers.
• Leading and evaluating competitive tenders and proposals for the supply of goods and services
• Understanding and adhering to the company and department standards, policies, and procedures

To be considered you will bring broad experience in a Category Manager role where you gained exposure to sourcing and supplier management.  You will have experience of operating in a large enterprise organisation and that could be gained in either a private and/or public sector organisation. 
You must have demonstrable experience of formulating, developing and executing a category strategy and will be able to evidence the benefits you have realised. 
Other experience required: 

• Capable of leading complex supplier negotiations from £20m-£50m in value
• Solid networking skills with the ability to build relationships across all areas of the team and with suppliers
• Evidence of being able to influence internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive meaningful change
• Ability to challenge industry norms and proactively seek out opportunities to deliver sustained improvements in performance
• Good understanding of pre and post deal processes and how better information and improvements in process can deliver value to the organisation
• Some understanding and experience of operating in complex supply chain environments
• Ability to prioritise and manage risk and complexity effectively

This is a hybrid role where you can expect to visit the office in Reading 1-2 times per week, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on business requirements.  There is plenty of flexibility on offer.
In return, you can expect a salary of up to £45,000-£55,000 plus excellent benefits including contributory pension, medical assessments, 26 days holiday and other perks including money saving discounts and wellbeing support. 
If you are Category Manager or procurement professional with Category exposure and looking for that next step, then APPLY NOW – interviews taking place immediately. 
If you are interested please apply ASAP. The People Network is an employment agency and will respond to all applicants within three - five working days. If you do not hear within these timescales please feel free to get in touch.