Category Manager Operations, Indirect & Digital Categories

Position: Category Manager – (Multiple Vacancies) Operations, Indirect & Digital Categories
Category Manager - (Multiple Vacancies) Operations, Indirect & Digital Categories Strategic Procurement | Category Management | Commercial Strategy | Supplier Relationship Management

Location:

West London (Hybrid)
Salary: 55,000 - 62,000 (+ 10% bonus & attractive benefits package)
Ready to take ownership of strategic categories and influence one of the largest investment programmes in the UK utilities sector? A leading UK utilities organisation is significantly expanding its procurement function and is looking for experienced Category Managers to join its growing team. With multiple opportunities available across Operations, Indirect and Digital categories, this is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of end-to-end category strategies, influence key commercial decisions and help shape procurement across a business delivering essential services to millions of customers.

Following a period of significant growth, the organisation is embarking on its most ambitious investment programme in over 100 years, creating substantial opportunities to strengthen supply chain capability, improve commercial performance and deliver long-term value. Working closely with stakeholders and strategic suppliers, you'll act as the commercial lead for your categories, using market intelligence and supplier insight to identify opportunities, challenge existing approaches and deliver meaningful improvements across the business.

As a Category Manager, you will:

Lead End-to-End Category Strategy:
Develop and deliver short, medium and long-term category strategies, taking ownership of sourcing pipelines, spend analysis and commercial priorities, giving you the autonomy to shape category direction and deliver sustainable value.

Drive Strategic Sourcing & Negotiations:
Lead complex sourcing projects and commercial negotiations, influencing contractual agreements and balancing cost, risk and supply chain resilience while strengthening your experience across high-value strategic procurement.

Provide Market & Commercial Insight:
Become the commercial expert for your categories, using market intelligence, supplier knowledge and industry developments to challenge existing approaches and influence business decisions, giving you real visibility and influence at a senior level.

Manage Strategic Supplier Relationships:
Build and strengthen relationships with key suppliers, oversee performance and identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement, allowing you to develop influential partnerships and drive better commercial outcomes.

Influence Stakeholders & Deliver Change:
Partner with stakeholders across the organisation to shape category requirements, challenge industry norms and improve procurement processes, giving you the opportunity to make a lasting impact on business performance, customers and the wider community.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

Category Management & Procurement

Experience:

A proven background in procurement, with experience independently managing at least one category for 12 months or more. Candidates from Senior Buyer backgrounds will also be considered, provided they have demonstrable exposure to end-to-end category management and strategic sourcing.

Complex Supply Chain

Experience:

Experience operating within complex supply chain environments, with the ability to understand market dynamics, assess supplier capability and identify opportunities to improve commercial and operational performance.

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: A track record of leading sourcing activities and negotiating commercial and contractual agreements, as well as an understanding of contract processes and risk management.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management:
Experience managing key supplier relationships, influencing internal stakeholders and driving continuous improvement, with the confidence to challenge existing practices and develop new approaches.

Commercial & Analytical Capability:
Strong commercial awareness, data analysis and problem-solving skills, with a proactive, curious approach and the ability to manage competing priorities, identify opportunities and deliver against challenging objectives. This is an excellent opportunity to join a procurement function experiencing significant growth at a pivotal time for the utilities sector. With unprecedented investment, increased category ownership and exposure to complex commercial projects, you'll have the opportunity to broaden your expertise, influence strategic decisions and leave a…