Job Title:

Category Manager

• Procurement

Location:

Birmingham or London UK

Language:

English (Required)

Role Purpose

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies within the Source to contract (S2C) programme, managing sourcing events, supplier relationships, and ensuring delivery of savings, compliance, and operational excellence for multiple Goods Not for Resale (GNFR) categories

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies, leveraging market intelligence, spend analytics, and stakeholder input while embedding the client's sustainability and compliance principles
• Lead sourcing events (RFx, negotiations, contracting) for assigned categories, ensuring alignment with the client's objectives and robust governance
• Manage supplier performance, risk, and relationship management, including Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for strategic suppliers, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and sustainability
• Collaborate with S2C Lead and Delivery teams to ensure seamless execution and benefit realisation, fostering a collaborative, partnership-driven approach
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of best practices within and across categories, supporting the Client's transformation programme
• Support digital enablement (catalogue management, analytics, e-sourcing tools), ensuring compliance and operational efficiency
• Provide structured reporting on category performance, savings, and compliance, supporting the client's commitment to measurable value and transparency

Essential Criteria

• 5+ years in procurement/category management, ideally across indirect categories in retail or FMCG
• Proven track record in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiation
• Demonstrated ability in project leadership
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in business English
• High levels of EQ and cultural awareness to build relationships, align efforts, and effectively influence
• Experience with using source to pay platforms to execute Rfx (SAP Ariba preferred)
• Ability to demonstrate the client's values across accountability, sustainability, and collaboration, with a commitment to customer-centricity and operational excellence
• Excellent MS office skills, particularly in Excel and analysis
• Source to pay platform experience is essential (e.g. SAP, Ariba, Coupa)

Benefits

• 25 days holiday excluding Bank Holiday's Leave Year runs from April 1 to March 31

• Sick Pay

• Employee discounts

• Perk Box

• Access to training platform for PD - Lex

• Pension - employer contribution 3% employee contribution 5% - total 8% of designated banding

• Income Protection

• Private Medical Insurance Scheme

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)