Job Description

We are seeking a strategic Category Manager with deep expertise in Engineering and Construction to spearhead our sourcing initiatives. In this role, you will be instrumental in defining procurement strategies across a varied project portfolio. You will oversee the entire supply chain process, leveraging market intelligence to challenge traditional methods and deliver creative, high-value procurement solutions.
Joining a collaborative and driven team, you will utilise agile methodologies to manage various work streams, prioritising tasks effectively to achieve measurable organisational impact.
Details:

• Title: Category Manager
• Salary: 55,000-66,000 DOE
• Contract: Permananent, Full-time
• Location: Portsmouth, hybrid working (2-3 days in the office per week)

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of category-specific strategies, working closely with internal partners to define technical specifications and volume requirements.
• Manage all commercial activities to optimise value and reduce the Total Cost of Ownership throughout the procurement life cycle.
• Oversee the Engineering and Construction budget, mitigating strategic risks and ensuring financial efficiency.
• Refine and update procurement best practices, ensuring that workflows remain modern, efficient, and aligned with industry standards.
• Partner with business leaders to implement contracting and sourcing plans that support broader company goals.
• Reduce expenditure through demand aggregation, technical standardisation, and the active management of tail spend.
• Integrated external best practices and innovative supplier solutions into actionable business proposals.
• Foster transparent and professional communication channels with both internal departments and external vendors.
• Navigate complex utilities procurement regulations and statutory requirements to ensure full legal adherence.

What we are looking for:
Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in Category Management specifically within the Engineering and Construction sectors.
• Proven ability to interpret complex commercial data and present findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Skilled in high-level negotiation, conflict resolution, and influencing key decision-makers.
• Demonstrated success in managing multiple work streams simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in multi-stakeholder strategic sourcing and a history of hitting ambitious performance targets.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• A self-starter who thrives under pressure and is eager to expand their professional skill set.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and the ability to translate new ideas into practical results.

Huntress Search Ltd acts as a Recruitment Agency in relation to all Permanent roles and as a Recruitment Business in relation to all Temporary roles.
We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.
PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.

Skills Required