Lead Category Manager

Lead Category Manager

• Competitive annual salary and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes generous pension scheme.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Inclusive and supportive work environment.

Location: Dorking (hybrid working – 3 days in office, 2 days working from home)

Job Type: Full-time

We are seeking an experienced Lead Category Manager to spearhead strategic sourcing and category management initiatives. This role is crucial for ensuring contract compliance, achieving sustainable cost improvements, and delivering a range of benefits associated with the commissioning of category services and products, all while upholding the high standards of the organisation.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Develop and implement strategic and operational procurement services in collaboration with procurement teams.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure service specifications, procurement evaluation criteria, and assessment processes are effective and result in the successful procurement of services.
• Manage a rolling workplan to capture and manage procurement intentions for a range of organisations.
• Drive change and innovation to deliver commercial excellence across the region.
• Lead individual procurements, including the preparation of tender documentation, conducting briefings, and assessing bidder documentation based on financial viability, risk, sustainability, and alignment with collaborative procurement strategies.
• Build and manage relationships within multi-disciplinary procurement project teams.
• Maintain communications regarding current procurements, prepare briefings for internal and external stakeholders, and draft Board papers as necessary.
• Ensure procurement processes are equitable, transparent, and defensible, aligning with national policy and relevant legislation.
• Provide specialist procurement support and advice to Stakeholders and other partners.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma or equivalent is essential; working towards CIPS Level 6 is desirable.
• Degree or equivalent relevant qualifications or experience.
• At least 5 years of functional experience in procurement with a clear understanding of best practice techniques in category management.
• Experience in Category Services procurement with a successful delivery track record.
• Public Sector experience, including familiarity with UK and EU legislation/law within procurement.