Senior Category Manager

Contract Length: 8 months.

Location:

Reading - 3 days onsite per week.

Rate:
Inside IR35.

Start Date:

ASAP.

Hours:

37 per week.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Category Manager to lead strategic procurement, supplier management, and contract delivery across a defined group of ITC categories. The role will focus on delivering value, driving cost efficiencies, and managing risk in line with business objectives. Candidates must have strong public sector procurement experience and an understanding of MOD or government contracts.

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to business and stakeholder needs
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activity, including RFx, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract award, and handover
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance, and ethical standards
• Provide commercial oversight to ensure contract performance and value delivery
• Manage supplier relationships, including performance, risk, and continuous improvement
• Participate in supplier reviews and contribute to market insight and category development
• Collaborate with internal teams to support procurement processes and delivery

• 5+ years' public sector procurement experience
• Strong negotiation and cost analysis skills
• Proven supplier relationship management capability
• Experience managing contracts of similar scale and complexity
• Stakeholder management across multiple levels
• Knowledge of MOD or public sector environments (3+ years preferred)
• Experience with flexible/competitive procurement frameworks (e.g. PA23)

• ERP system experience
• IT or technology category background
• Experience working with systems such as SAP

We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.