Procurement Manager​/Category Lead​/Direct ; AWDO-P14323

Procurement Manager / Category Lead

A strategic procurement opportunity for an experienced professional to lead direct spend categories within a complex manufacturing environment, driving sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and long-term value across cost, quality, and sustainability.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you:

Category Manager, Procurement Lead, Strategic Sourcing Lead, Senior Buyer, Direct Spend Category Specialist, Procurement Specialist.

SALARY:
Competitive + Benefits

LOCATION:

Plymouth, Devon, South West England (PL1)

JOB TYPE:
Full-Time, Permanent

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Procurement Manager / Category Lead to join a growing procurement function within a highly technical manufacturing organisation. This is a key role with real influence over sourcing decisions and supplier strategy.

As a Procurement Manager / Category Lead you will take ownership of critical direct spend categories, developing and delivering robust category strategies aligned to operational and new product development goals. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure supply continuity and value creation.

In this role, the Procurement Manager / Category Lead will lead sourcing activity, supplier negotiations, and contract management while driving data-led decision-making and continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Your duties as the Procurement Manager / Category Lead include:

• Category Strategy Development:
  Creating and delivering category strategies aligned to business and NPD objectives
• Sourcing and RFx Management:
  Leading sourcing exercises, tendering activity, and supplier selection
• Supplier Negotiation:
  Negotiating commercial agreements to achieve best value across cost, quality, and innovation
• Contract Lifecycle Management:
  Creating, managing, and resolving supplier contracts from initiation to expiry
• Supplier Relationship Management:
  Building strong, collaborative supplier relationships and managing performance
• Risk Mitigation:
  Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks to ensure continuity of supply
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Working closely with Purchasing and stakeholders on demand planning and supply assurance
• Data and Systems Management:
  Driving data-led decision-making and maintaining accurate procurement master data

• Previous experience in category management within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Proven experience of procurement, sourcing, and supplier relationship management
• Experience leading supplier negotiations and managing commercial agreements
• Strong commercial awareness with an analytical and outcome-focused approach
• Confident using ERP and source-to-pay systems alongside Microsoft Office tools

• A background in engineering or a technical manufacturing setting
• A business or engineering qualification
• CIPS qualification or working towards professional procurement accreditation

• Competitive salary package
• 4.5-day working week
• Local employee discount schemes
• On-site parking
• Employee Assistance Programme

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV’s of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB
-P14323