Category Manager

Category Manager - Place / Adult Social Care

Hybrid Working | Approximately 1 Day Per Month On-Site + Occasional Site Visits

3-Month Contract

£322.85 PAYE / £450 Umbrella per day

Contract Opportunity

About the Role

We are seeking experienced Category Managers to support a major local authority procurement function. We have opportunities available within both the Place and Adult Social Care categories, providing strategic procurement, commercial and contract management expertise across a diverse portfolio of goods, services and works.

This is an excellent opportunity for procurement professionals with strong category management experience and a proven track record of delivering compliant, value-driven procurement solutions within the public sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of category strategies that align with organisational objectives and procurement best practice.
• Manage end-to-end procurement projects from sourcing strategy through to contract award and implementation.
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice to stakeholders across the organisation.
• Support and coach Category Specialists and Assistant Category Specialists throughout procurement activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand service requirements and deliver value-for-money outcomes.
• Ensure all procurement activity is compliant with relevant legislation, governance frameworks and internal policies.
• Develop and implement commercial and contracting strategies for goods, works and services within your designated category area.
• Identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and service improvements through strategic sourcing and supplier engagement.
• Manage supplier relationships, contract performance and risk throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the procurement function.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience operating as a Category Manager within a public sector environment.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.
• Experience leading complex end-to-end procurement exercises and sourcing activities.
• Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract management experience.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Experience using PA23 is essential.
• Experience within either Place services or Adult Social Care procurement categories is highly desirable.

All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references.