Category Manager

Thornaby, Yorkshire
Jackson Hogg Ltd

Jackson Hogg Procurement are delighted to be working on an exclusive basis with a leading business in Middlesbrough on the appointment of a Category Manager – Corporate Services to join their team on a full time and permanent basis.

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, this Category Manager will be responsible for responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies across a diverse portfolio of corporate services categories including IT, Facilities Management, Temporary Labour, HR & Marketing, Financial & Legal services, Learning & Development, Travel Management, Office Supplies, Printing, Professional Services and Capital expenditure projects that do not fall under the engineering category.

Hours can be flexible between an 08:00-09:00 start, working a 35 hour week with hybrid working on offer!

Other benefits include 7% matched pension, CIPS funding after probationary period, and 25 days holiday plus bank hols.

The Role:

• Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement sourcing strategies for designated corporate services categories and non-engineering CAPEX categories.
• Sourcing: Lead the sourcing process for the designated categories including, market research, specification development, developing sourcing documents, bid evaluation, negotiating all commercial terms and conditions aimed at reducing cost, minimising risk and optimising business processes for the procurement of the goods and services within these categories.
• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with key suppliers to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and innovation.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations for contracts and agreements with suppliers, ensuring favourable pricing, terms and conditions and specifications, deliverables and performance metrics are clear and can be easily quantified.
• Contract Development: Work with the legal function to construct the necessary contractual arrangements for contracts to ensure all contractual terms and conditions are approved and corporate risk is minimised.
• Market Analysis: Conduct market research and analysis to stay informed about industry trends, pricing, and emerging technologies.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Encourage and influence internal stakeholders, to ensure key spend categories including capital are directed through the Procurement function.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with the procurement of the corporate services categories, including supply chain disruptions and compliance issues.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor supplier performance and implement improvement plans as necessary to ensure service levels and contractual obligations are met.
• Cost Savings: Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities within designated categories through strategic sourcing and supplier management and ensure all negotiated gains and cost savings are tracked, measured, and delivered.
• Reporting: Prepare and present regular reports on category performance, savings achieved, and market trends to senior management.
• Supplier Management: Manage the relationship of key category suppliers and mediate issues between stakeholders and suppliers as required.
• Leadership: Develop and guide the Procurement Specialist through assigning tasks and setting objectives.

The Person/Specification:

• A minimum of 5 years in procurement with solid strategic experience
• Experience of the end-to end sourcing processes including requirements gathering, market assessment, supplier identification, competitive sourcing (i.e. RFQ, RFP, ITT or equivalent) exercises and contract award (inc. drafting, negotiation and execution).
• CIPS qualified (desirable or working toward becoming fully qualified funded by company)
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to achieve favourable outcomes while maintaining positive supplier relationships.
• Strong communication/collaboration experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with an effective approach to prioritising workload and acute attention to detail.

For more information, please contact Gemma Yeadon – Sector Lead Procurement at Jackson Hogg.