Category Manager Procurement

We are currently seeking a Category Manager Procurement to join our dedicated team. As a Category Manager Procurement at Together Housing, you will be responsible for strategically managing the procurement process for various categories of goods and services. You will establish and maintain supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and identify cost-saving opportunities. Your role will play a vital part in ensuring that Together Housing receives high-quality products and services at competitive prices.

We are one of the largest housing associations in the North of England, managing over 38,000 homes across the North of England. We are a non-profit organisation, meaning any money we make is invested back into the company for the benefit of our residents and local communities.

As an organisation we are committed to having a Diverse and Inclusive workforce. We would therefore welcome applications from candidates with any of the nine protected characteristics. We are also proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Requirements

Outline of Key responsibilities for the Category Manager Procurement...

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned categories, ensuring they are in line with the organization's goals and objectives.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process, including conducting market research, evaluating suppliers, negotiating contracts, and overseeing contract management.
• Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers, monitoring their performance and addressing any issues or concerns that arise.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction through analysis of spending data, market trends, and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their procurement needs and provide guidance and support.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Stay updated on industry developments, market trends, and best practices in procurement.
• Serve as a champion for social value in procurement, contributing to the Group's broader social value strategy and collaborating with Newground Together for a consistent and coordinated approach.
• Provide guidance, training, and support on social value procurement issues to the procurement team, purchasing managers, and suppliers.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on social value performance across the Group's supply chain.
• Proactively collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement corporate category plans and ensure efficient procurement and commissioning activities within spend categories.
• Ensure all procurement activities adhere to UK procurement regulations and internal policies, seeking advice and support as needed.
• Develop and support robust business cases to ensure future procurements and contracts maximize benefits, drive continuous improvement, and achieve efficiency while delivering value for money.
• Support and, when appropriate, lead the establishment of procurements, contracts, and agreements based on approved category plans. This includes assisting stakeholders in developing tenders and specifications, managing procurement processes, evaluating tender responses, and awarding contracts.

We are looking for someone who has...

• Proven track record in procurement, with a focus on strategic sourcing and category management.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate effectively and establish and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of analysing data and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
• Thorough understanding of procurement best practices, market trends, and legal requirements.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, able to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Prior experience in the Housing sector or Public Sector
• CIPS qualification or equivalent relevant experience
• Produce spend analysis and procurement information tailored for different audiences to monitor performance and facilitate decision making.
• Demonstrable knowledge of procurement and of social value within procurement.
• Support the development of a robust supplier base for the procurement of goods and services.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills when interacting with internal and external colleagues..

Benefits

In return, we are offering the successful candidate in the Category Manager Procurement role...

• Salary of £45,033 - £50,333
• Annual pay scale increase
• 27 days holiday (rising to 32 over 5 years' service) + bank holidays
• You can work from either of our offices - Wakefield, Halifax, or Blackburn.
• Hybrid working, with approximately 2 days in the office per month.
• You will be expected to regularly attend a monthly meeting that takes place at various locations in either of our offices..
• A flexible working environment, with a range of family friendly policies
• You will be working 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday. Working arrangements are flexible in line with our Smart Working culture so that we deliver an excellent and accessible service for customers.
• Wide range of technical, professional, and personal development training opportunities
• Attractive pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing benefits including access to GPs
• A range of financial and lifestyle benefits including cycle to work, vehicle leasing and financial advice
• To view the full range of our award winning benefits click on the Employee Benefits Link

THG reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient numbers of applicants are received. Therefore, please apply without delay!

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

INDTHG