Category Manager

Job Title: Category Manager (Indirect)

Salary: Up to £46,000 - £55,000

Location: Loughborough

Pension equivalent contribution c20% | Hybrid Working (3 days office, 2 home) | 44 days annual leave including bank holidays. 30 days flexible to choose from.

Are you experienced within public sector procurement? Do you understand public procurement and contract law?

I’m delighted to be exclusively supporting an organisation based in Loughborough to recruit a Category Manager. If you’re looking for somewhere that values work-life balance and has incredible perks/benefits, then this will be right up your street.

As a Category Manager, you’ll be reporting into Finance and working alongside a wider Procurement team stacked with talent. You’ll be responsible for managing indirect spend, mainly focusing on Estates and CAPEX.

You will work closely with diverse stakeholders, supporting long-term financial objectives and driving best-in-class procurement practices. Spend for the department is circa £100m per annum.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement Procurement Strategies: Lead procurement plans for critical categories, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall strategy and compliance with procurement law.
• Category Management: Conduct spend and supplier analysis, develop category strategies, and support robust “make or buy” decisions that deliver value for money.
• Manage Tender Processes: Oversee end-to-end tendering processes, from requirements gathering and documentation drafting to evaluation and contract award, ensuring each step maximizes value and compliance.
• Build Strong Supplier Relationships: Engage in supplier relationship management to mitigate risks, promote innovation, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Promote Compliance and Improvement: Ensure adherence to legal standards in all procurement activities, track contract performance through KPIs, and promote continuous improvement.

What You’ll Bring:

• A background in public sector procurement and knowledge of contract law.
• Proven experience in procurement with a strong understanding of category management and high-value contracts.
• Expertise in procurement best practices, with a track record of developing and implementing effective sourcing strategies.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build proactive relationships across the organization.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and sustainable procurement practices.
• A strategic mindset with a focus on value creation and risk mitigation.

If you’d like to know more about this position, just hit the apply button and I’ll be in touch. You’ll find my number on Linked In (Jordan Leonardi at Distinct Recruitment). If you prefer, you could drop me a connection or message on Linked In and we can pick up on there.