Category Lead - #2184815

Category Lead

Location: Hybrid to Peterborough or Manchester (2 days per week)

We are seeking a commercially minded Category Lead to develop and deliver sourcing strategies across a diverse portfolio of spend categories. You will be responsible for driving value through strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract optimisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role combines strategic procurement expertise with strong stakeholder engagement, ensuring category strategies align with business objectives, deliver sustainable value, and support operational excellence. As a senior member of the procurement function, you will provide category leadership, influence key business decisions, and champion best practice procurement across the organisation.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end procurement lifecycle across multiple spend categories, managing significant annual expenditure.
• Develop and implement category strategies that optimise cost, quality, service, innovation, and risk management.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for cost savings, value creation, and process improvements across the supply base.
• Lead sourcing events, supplier negotiations, and contract renewals to secure the best commercial outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on procurement and category-related matters.
• Manage supplier performance through robust governance, performance reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Negotiate and manage contracts and service level agreements, ensuring compliance and value delivery.
• Drive procurement best practices, governance, and policy adherence across the business.
• Analyse market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to inform category strategies and business decisions.
• Support the adoption and optimisation of procurement systems, processes, and tools.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and ESG commitments.
• Mentor and support team members where appropriate, contributing to the development of procurement capability across the function.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience in category management, strategic sourcing, or procurement across a broad range of spend categories.
• Strong commercial acumen with a proven track record of delivering measurable savings, value creation, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent negotiation, supplier relationship management, and contract management skills.
• Experience developing and delivering category strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Experience using procurement and ERP systems such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, or similar platforms.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Results-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Professional procurement qualifications such as CIPS, MCIPS, CPSM, or equivalent are desirable.
• Experience operating within complex, regulated, or matrix organisations would be advantageous.