Job Description

About The Role
Role: Category Manager REF 98372
Contract Length: 7 months
Location: Green Park, Reading - 3 days per week in office - some travel to Aldermaston may be required & UK travel to suppliers may be required.
IR35: Inside
Pay Rate to Intermediary: Market Rate
Security Clearance: SC and Sole UK National requested
Spinwell is recruiting for a Category Manager for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CATEGORY MANAGER

• Develop and implement Category Strategy for specific categories, balancing short and long-term objectives to meet business strategy and efficiencies (savings) in alignment with business stakeholders.
• Support and execute strategic sourcing activities in line with approved category strategy and preferred suppliers list, including the execution of the RFx process, supplier evaluation and selection, contract negotiation, business award and contract handover to the business, in compliance with the business requirements as well as client policies and directives, including Code of Conduct and Code of Business Ethics.
• Support the execution of Supplier Relationship Management for some key suppliers, including supplier segmentation, contract management, supplier risks identification and mitigation and suppliers performance.
• Monitor and drive supplier performance, ensuring that suppliers meet contractual obligations using the Supplier Performance Card or specific contractual Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and Service Level Agreement (SLA) and secure commercial compensation for supplier contractual noncompliance.
• Assist with the development of supplier value including planning and preparation of external management review meetings with segmented suppliers (Management Business Reviews and Executive Business Reviews) in accordance with client Supplier Relationship Management framework and the agreed supplier strategy.
• Drive operational efficiency in alignment with the Supply Chain Processes and Strategies as well as performance of all activities in line with Supply Chain targets and the Category Group team targets.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE CATEGORY MANAGER

• Proven experience (minimum 5 years) in Category Management or Procurement Delivery, ideally within materials, manufacturing, or highly regulated sectors
• Experience working in public sector or regulated procurement environments is highly desirable
• Strong background in end-to-end procurement delivery, including tendering, contract award, supplier management, and spend analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work at pace while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Confident communicator, able to work collaboratively with internal stakeholders, including other Category Managers and operational teams
• Experience producing supplier review packs, analysing spend data, and supporting strategic sourcing decisions
• Familiarity with e-procurement platforms such as Jaggaer is advantageous
• Defence or security sector experience is desirable but not essential
• Able to operate effectively in compliance-driven, regulated environments
• CIPS or other professional procurement qualifications are beneficial but not essential - proven hands-on experience is the priority

If you are a Category Manager, apply now or send your CV to Spinwell!
We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Applying to this or any other vacancy advertised by Spinwell Ltd constitutes an agreement for Spinwell Ltd to hold your details for 24 months for the purpose of assessing suitability for the advertised position and to make you aware of any other positions deemed suitable of which You will make you aware by means of either email, text or phone. In line with GDPR regulations you are able to request your details be removed from the company data at any time by emailing us
Disability Confident
As a member of the disability confident scheme, the client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Armed Forces Covenant
The client is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
If you qualify for the above, please notify us and quote the role you are applying for.
We will be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.
Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let us know.
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Skills Required