Category Lead

Barchester's procurement team have a new opportunity for a Category Lead to join the Barchester family. Offering hybrid working, with 3 days in our established Warrington office and 2 days working from home.
In this vital position you will provide essential support in the evolvement of the procurement function, supporting our portfolio of 250 care homes and hospitals across the UK. For those product and service categories allocated manage the procurement process, from sourcing, negotiation, contract management, supplier performance, risk assessment, and overall category management.
You will work closely with the estate and internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and how they can be met as part of the procurement strategy.

Role and responsibilities:

Proactively manage vendors and develop strong performance through effective working relationships and regular updates for your allocated categories.
Manage categories including regular review meetings, product and price file updates and communication of changes internally.
Engagement and collaboration with internal stakeholders and the Homes / Hospitals to ensure alignment with their requirements and expectations.
Analyse data and conduct market research to create optimum category management approaches.
Run the tender process including market review, negotiation, award and contract management via the S2C platform for your categories.
Support the wider business during the tender process and contract negotiation to ensure procurement best practice.
Identify opportunities to deliver added value to the business through Supplier Relationship Management, delivering the projects within agreed timescales.
Work closely with the P2P team to ensure correct information is uploaded, any maverick spend is addressed and reporting is utilized to support category management.
Provide day-to-day support on Category queries, liaising with preferred suppliers where necessary.
Ensure all admin is kept up-to-date and minutes and actions are completed and logged.

Required experience and qualifications:

Minimum of 3 years' category management experience in UK across a mixed variety of product and service categories
Positive and proactive attitude, confident in taking personal initiative and developing strategic business relationships within a large organisation
A successful track record in managing and influencing senior management and stakeholders
Good negotiation skills and natural persuasion and a great problem solver
Good understanding of supply chain and procurement practices
Strong track record of savings delivery
Excellent communications skills (both written and verbal) including strong networking and presentation skills
Good organisational and time-management skills
Benefits:
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Ability to work from home up to 2 days per week
Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500
* per referral
Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets
Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need to make a decision with confidence
Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services

If you'd like to use your procurement expertise in an organisation that provides the quality care you'd expect for your loved ones, this is an empowering and rewarding place to be. You'll have plenty of opportunity to grow your career in a large organisation with a warm and supportive environment.