Category Manager
Location: LE67, Leicestershire
Salary: £50k – £60k, Car Allowance, Pension, and Hybrid Working (3 days in the office)
Are you an experienced procurement professional with a proven track record for managing categories and a knack for driving cost-saving strategies?
This is your chance to step into a leadership role, managing key categories such as Mobile Plant, Forklifts, Waste, and Capex for a market-leading manufacturing business.
About the Company
They are engineers and suppliers of sustainable building solutions. They have eight core product categories, to deliver homes and workplaces. Committed to achieving a net zero future while manufacturing more sustainably and efficiently.
As a Category Manager, you will be reporting to the Head of Procurement, and line managing a Buyer while supporting the wider procurement team. You will help shape the future of their procurement strategy and supplier relationships in these indirect categories, additionally owning and managing a large budget.
Your Responsibilities:
As our Interim Category Lead, you will:
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies and category plans.
- Present sourcing strategies to stakeholders.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Manage supplier relationships resolving issues and ensuring robust contracts and SLAs are in place.
- Support our Factory and Department Managers by identifying opportunities to streamline procurement in areas we haven’t fully explored.
- Maintain and communicate updated pricing and commercial information.
- Lead and mentor a small team, deputizing for the Head of Group Procurement when needed.
- Champion good purchasing practices across the business, ensuring procurement’s value is understood at all levels.
We’re looking for:
- A proven track record in indirect procurement (Essential)
- Experience in Mobile Plant, Forklifts, Waste, and Capex categories (Desirable)
- Possess MCIPS or equivalent qualifications (or be working towards them).
- Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to demonstrate cost savings and process improvement across categories.
- Have solid experience with E-Procurement Tools and platforms for tendering and contract management.
- Be confident in managing strategic and operational challenges, mentoring junior team members, and working autonomously toward pre-agreed targets.
What’s on Offer:
- Bonus scheme & Car allowance
- Hybrid working options
- 10% matched pension
- 3x life insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (for you and family members)
- Access to retail discounts (Tesco, Asda, etc.)
- Excellent personal development and career progression opportunities
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.
We’re looking for:
- A proven track record in indirect procurement (Essential)
- Experience in Mobile Plant, Forklifts, Waste, and Capex categories (Desirable)
- Possess MCIPS or equivalent qualifications (or be working towards them).
- Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to demonstrate cost savings and process improvement across categories.
- Have solid experience with E-Procurement Tools and platforms for tendering and contract management.
- Be confident in managing strategic and operational challenges, mentoring junior team members, and working autonomously toward pre-agreed targets.
What’s on Offer:
- Bonus scheme & Car allowance
- Hybrid working options
- 10% matched pension
- 3x life insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme (for you and family members)
- Access to retail discounts (Tesco, Asda, etc.)
- Excellent personal development and career progression opportunities
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 (Bethan Kirby at Distinct Recruitment). If you prefer, you could drop me a connection or message on Linked In and we can pick up on there.