Procurement Category Lead

To help make Liverpool City region the best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind

• Employer: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Flexible Hours/Full Time
• Hours: 35 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 16/09/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: RES/26/343569

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority at a transformative time for both our organisation and the public procurement profession.

As a Procurement Category Lead, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering category strategies that support the Combined Authority's ambitions for growth, innovation and inclusive prosperity across the Liverpool City Region. Working closely with stakeholders, suppliers and colleagues across the organisation, you will lead the procurement and commercial activity within your category area, ensuring value for money whilst delivering broader social, economic and environmental outcomes.

You will have the opportunity to influence significant programmes and projects that directly impact our communities, from transport and infrastructure to regeneration and public services. Your work will help ensure public funds are invested wisely, sustainably and transparently, creating lasting benefits for the 1.6 million people who call the Liverpool City Region home.

As part of our journey towards a more strategic, modern and commercially focused procurement function, you will help drive innovation, embed category management best practice and support the implementation of new systems, processes and ways of working. This is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by helping shape how procurement delivers value across the organisation for years to come.

Key responsibilities will include :

• Developing and implementing category strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
• Leading complex sourcing and procurement activities from market engagement through to contract award.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders to understand business needs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Delivering savings, efficiencies and social value outcomes.
• Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and internal governance requirements.
• Supporting the continuous development and modernisation of the procurement function

About the person

We are looking for a commercially minded procurement professional who is passionate about making a difference through public sector procurement.

You will be someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, building trusted relationships with stakeholders whilst confidently leading procurement activity in a fast-paced and evolving environment. You will enjoy influencing change, challenging the status quo and finding innovative solutions that improve outcomes for customers, communities and the organisation.

The successful candidate will bring experience of category management, sourcing and contract management, together with a strong understanding of procurement legislation and governance. Just as importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help shape the future of procurement at the Combined Authority and contribute to the wider success of the Liverpool City Region.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Experience of leading procurement projects and sourcing exercises.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• The ability to develop and implement category strategies that deliver measurable benefits.
• Commercial acumen and a focus on achieving value for money.
• Knowledge of public procurement legislation and best practice.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• A commitment…