Senior Category Manager

Location: Hybrid – Office-based 2-3 days per week – Central ReadingSalary: Up to £75k (depending on experience) + performance-related bonus + comprehensive benefits packageContract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

The Role

This is a highly visible role reporting to the Head of Procurement, responsible for developing and driving the procurement strategy for Logistics, Key Products and Services alongside other key areas such as Indirect, Connectivity, Civils, Network Hardware, Software, and Services. The role also plays a crucial part in transforming and reshaping the procurement function.

As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to procurement strategy development, stakeholder engagement, and coaching team members, ensuring the function delivers commercially strategic and value-driven procurement solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Act as a business partner to key departments, influencing procurement decision-making.
• Anticipate procurement challenges and create sourcing strategies to deliver optimal commercial outcomes.
• Conduct market analysis, leveraging internal and external data to drive investment decisions and innovative sourcing solutions.
• Lead high-value, complex negotiations, collaborating with Finance and Legal to mitigate risk.
• Oversee Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) to enhance performance and drive competitive advantage.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, corporate, environmental, and social responsibility policies.

What You’ll Need

• Extensive procurement experience across multiple categories, with a strong background in telecommunications or technology.
• Deep understanding of contract law, category management, market dynamics, and strategic sourcing.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into commercial and legal requirements.
• Experience leading end-to-end procurement projects and developing category and supplier strategies.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with experience influencing senior leadership.
• A strategic, problem-solving mindset, capable of designing and implementing best-fit sourcing strategies.
• Leadership experience, with the ability to mentor and support procurement teams.