Category Manager – Adult Social Care – AR

Location: Remote, with monthly attendance in Walsall and occasional site visits
Client: Walsall Council
Contract: 3 months initially
Hours: 37 hours per week
Rate: £322.85 PAYE
IR35: Inside
Start Date: ASAP

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead and support end-to-end procurement, commercial strategies and contract management within Adult Social Care. The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders and service managers to develop procurement plans, manage tendering processes and ensure services deliver value for money, quality and compliance with public procurement legislation.

• Develop and implement procurement strategies and category plans for Adult Social Care services.
• Lead complex procurement exercises, including tendering, sourcing strategies and contract award processes.
• Analyse expenditure, benchmark costs and identify opportunities for savings and improved supplier performance.
• Work with stakeholders to understand service requirements and develop effective procurement and contracting solutions.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with the Procurement Act 2023, council procedures and relevant financial regulations.
• Support contract management, including performance monitoring and the development of appropriate contract measures.
• Prepare procurement documentation, reports, business cases and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with providers and internal teams to improve service delivery and commercial outcomes.
• Provide guidance and support to procurement colleagues, including mentoring and supervising team members where required.
• Promote value for money, social value, sustainability and opportunities for local suppliers.

• Significant experience in strategic procurement, category management or commercial contract management.
• Experience of public sector procurement, ideally within a local authority and Adult Social Care.
• Proven experience managing tenders, developing procurement strategies and producing procurement documentation.
• Knowledge of public procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023.
• Completed PA23 training, as specifically requested by the client.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience analysing complex expenditure data and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Relevant Level 5 professional qualification or equivalent experience.

• Experience procuring or managing contracts for domiciliary care, residential care, supported living or other Adult Social Care services.
• Experience supervising or mentoring procurement staff.
• Project management qualification, such as PRINCE
  2.
• Government Commercial Function Foundation contract management training, or willingness to complete it within six months.

Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.