Senior Category Manager

We have incredible opportunities to work with the region’s leading consortiums of public transport services.

As the organisation look to strengthen its commercial capability, opportunities for progressive and experienced procurement and commercial professionals to join the Corporate Directorate as Senior Category Managers, Category Managers and Assistant Category Managers are available.

Building a strong Commercial Function with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of commercial change.

There will be an opportunity to develop knowledge across a varied number of business functions. This role is focused on supporting the Indirect Category, including (but not limited to); Fleet, Catering, Facilities Management (Soft & Hard Services), Digital, Marketing, Professional Services (HR, Legal, Recruitment, Consultancy, IT (including Hardware, Software, Telecoms, and Professional Services) Other Business Support categories.   

As one of the Senior Category Managers, you will develop and manage commercial strategies for spend as well as providing professional advice on procurement matters to stakeholders at all levels to ensure that budgets are spent in accordance with strategy and Financial Regulations.

This role provides a unique opportunity to lead commercially on a wide variety of projects in a variety of policy areas and corporate programmes and include leading and heavily work on certain initiatives and ad hoc commercial projects as they arise. 

Although a developing function the organisation values a diverse range of skills and experience, working as one team. They work flexibly, within a project based, delivery focussed environment.

Are you ready for a rewarding challenge?

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage procurement category strategies for a portfolio of categories to achieve the strategic aims and objectives.
• Provide professional advice on technical procurement.
• Drive commercial and procurement initiatives.
• Negotiate and influence senior collective forums (internal and external) to achieve the benefits of collaborative procurement.
• Develop and deliver procurement savings plans for specific categories in collaboration with the customers.
• Lead and manage complex and strategic procurement projects to ensure their effective delivery in line with customer requirements.
• Use your own initiative and commercial acumen to address complex, high value and risk contract spend.
• Manage contract reviews for key business critical contracts managed outside of the central procurement function.
• Ensure contract performance is managed in line with KPI’s and customer requirements are met or exceeded.
• Develop and lead strategic partnerships with key suppliers to share risks and benefits
• Develop and manage sustainable procurement strategies for specific categories and develop an action plan to deliver.
• Responsible for delivering specific category management elements of the organisations procurement vision and Business Plan
• Manage Category Officers for specific categories
• Line manage the performance and development of direct reports

Your Experience

• Procurement and commercial experience
• Proven procurement, category and spend management delivery.
• Excellent communication skills and influencing skills
• Previous experience working in a Procurement, Contract or Commercial
• Have Indirect Goods & Services Procurement experience.
• Demonstrable experience in managing procurement processes and contracts, including developing and implementing procurement strategies, evaluating bids and negotiating contracts.
• Public or Private Sector Procurement, Contracts or Commercial experience: Local Authority, Housing Association, Central Government, ALMO, Charities, Not-for-profit, Financial Services, Professional Services such as Legal Firms, Central Head office operations such as FMCG. Any related sector experience is considered.

Desirable

• Relevant degree in Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• Relevant professional procurement qualification, such as MCIPS or equivalent.
• Knowledge of public procurement regulations, policies and procedures.

Whats on Offer:

• £55,000 - £65,000
• Pension scheme
• Free Travel
• Discount schemes.
• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid Working 2 days in the office 3 days at home.
• 25 days + 8 stats holiday per year
• CIPS Investment
• Bonus Scheme

Elevation Recruitment Group’s Procurement and Supply Chain division work with a vast range of businesses across Yorkshire and Humberside, Lincolnshire and Midlands regions.