Strategic Category Lead

Butler Rose is pleased to present an exciting opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to deliver strategic procurement of Direct and Indirect goods and services for a prestigious manufacturing organisation in Plymouth. This role is pivotal in shaping and delivering category management strategies, ensuring optimal cost efficiency while maintaining exceptional quality and service levels.

This role would suit either a highly experienced procurement professional, or someone on the upward trajectory of their career who is looking to take a step up into a more senior role. The role is site based in Plymouth but with the opportunity for 1 day per week working from home, as well as a core hours policy.

Scope of the Role:This role is at the heart of driving transformation within the organisation's supply chain, combining market analysis, tendering, and policy development with stakeholder and supplier relationship management. You will be responsible for crafting and implementing category strategies that deliver cost savings, innovation, and sustainable value.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive material cost reduction improvements in line with company objectives, including the effective and proactive management of associated projects.
• Develop and implement clear category management strategies where appropriate, ensuring sourcing strategy identifies and considers the risks relevant to the category and reduce business exposure for Indirect and Direct spend with a view to achieving savings targets, improving quality and service levels and achieving all other business objectives.
• Define measurement KPIs and issue updates to demonstrate progress, capturing and reporting on all activity across the business, delivering maximum value from all third party spend within a range of portfolios
• Lead and execute tendering activities, negotiating terms of trade that are structured, mutually beneficial and sustainable with suppliers, contracting and contract management activities and the management of ongoing supplier relationships at a Company level. to support commercial and business objectives.
• Drive supplier engagement and capability, to drive improvement plans, innovation and cost efficiency
• Project managing the delivery of plans and initiatives including performing cost/benefit analysis for changes and ensure plans are in line with business objectives.
• Be the category expert and first point of contact for responsible spend areas, working closely with senior business stakeholders, to fully understand the business needs and ensure adherence to procedures that guide and direct contract compliance and performance as well as mitigating legal and business risks.

Other Considerations:

• This role encompasses all procurement categories and will require UK and international travel.
• The successful candidate will play a vital role in shaping the future procurement pipeline by assessing emerging trends and challenges.

Person Specification:

• Proven expertise in strategic procurement and category management.
• Exceptional project management and stakeholder collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical abilities to perform cost/benefit analyses and create data-driven strategies.
• Excellent negotiation skills and a deep understanding of supplier engagement and relationship management.
• Knowledge of procurement frameworks, legal and contractual compliance, and risk management.

Benefits Include:

• Salary bracket £42,000 - £48,000
• Health Insurance
• Up to 38 days leave after 1 years' service
• Site based with 1 day work from home.
• Core work hours policy
• Access to professional development and training.
• Further benefits package

Butler Rose is proud to act as a trusted recruitment partner, connecting outstanding candidates with this exceptional opportunity. If you're ready to take the lead in procurement strategy and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you.

Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.Butler Rose Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.