Category Manager

Key Details

• Role: Category Manager
• Duration: 18 months
• Location: Reading - 2-3 days/week on site , hybrid model
• IR35: In scope
• Rate: £480-489/day
• Clearance: Active SC clearance highly advantageous

This position is ideal for a Category Manager who enjoys combining strategy, stakeholder management and supplier performance in a complex, regulated environment. Mandatory experience with Public Sector Procurement and NEC frameworks.

What you will be driving

• Developing and implementing Category Strategies for defined spend areas, balancing short-term savings with long-term value and security of supply.
• Leading strategic sourcing initiatives in line with agreed category strategies and preferred supplier lists, from RFx and supplier evaluation through to contract negotiation and award.
• Ensuring compliance with internal policies, Codes of Conduct and business ethics throughout the sourcing lifecycle.
• Supporting and executing Supplier Relationship Management for key suppliers - segmentation, risk identification and mitigation, performance management and contract governance.
• Monitoring and improving supplier performance using KPIs, SLAs and performance scorecards, including securing commercial remedies where contractual obligations are not met.
• Driving operational efficiency in line with Supply Chain processes and performance targets for your category group.

Category Management focus

• Developing and owning cost-effective category solutions and business models for your assigned categories.
• Managing the supplier base and Preferred Supplier List to maintain healthy competition and resilience.
• Implementing best practice in line with the client's Category Management Framework and delivering on category targets and KPIs.
• Using business intelligence, benchmarking and market insight to inform category strategies.
• With your sub-category team, securing and tracking cost reduction , robust contract management and continuity of supply.

Strategic sourcing & SRM

• Planning and executing the full RFx process with stakeholders - from requirements definition to evaluation and selection.
• Negotiating commercial and contractual terms to support both competitive initial cost and total cost over the contract life.
• Segmenting and managing suppliers in line with the client's Supplier Relationship Management framework .
• Identifying and mitigating supplier risks, including CoC, Environmental, Health & Safety and mutual dependency risks, and driving corrective action plans.
• Preparing and leading Management Business Reviews and Executive Business Reviews with key suppliers.

Stakeholder collaboration

• Securing strong stakeholder engagement in category strategy development , sourcing activities and SRM.
• Ensuring transparency around category strategies, preferred suppliers and supplier performance across the business.

Why this could interest you

• Long-term stability via an 18‑month contract in a strategic procurement role.
• Hybrid working with a clear expectation of 2-3 days per week on site in Reading.
• High visibility within a mission-critical public sector environment , working with significant spend and complex suppliers.
• Opportunity to shape category direction, influence key stakeholders and demonstrate measurable value (savings, risk reduction, performance improvement).