Hays
Category Manager - Corporate Services
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An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Category Manager to join a well-established public sector organisation delivering essential services across a diverse operational environment.
This role offers the chance to take ownership of a broad Corporate Services procurement portfolio, supporting the organisation's strategic objectives through effective category management, commercial leadership, and supplier engagement. Operating within a procurement function that supports a wide range of business activities, you will play a key role in ensuring best-practice procurement, value for money, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Working within a collaborative procurement and contract management team, you will partner with stakeholders across the business to develop sourcing strategies, deliver complex procurement projects, and establish long-term category plans that support organisational growth and success.
Your new role
You will be responsible for leading procurement activity across a diverse Corporate Services portfolio, which may include:
- Professional Services
- HR and Recruitment
- Legal Services
- Finance and Audit
- Marketing and Communications
- IT and Digital Services
- Facilities and Business Support Services
You'll provide strategic procurement expertise, ensuring robust procurement processes are followed while identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies, sustainability, innovation, and commercial value.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement category strategies across Corporate Services spend areas.
- Lead end-to-end procurement and tender exercises in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and public procurement best practice.
- Analyse spend data, market trends, and supplier performance to inform category decision-making.
- Develop sourcing plans and procurement strategies that support organisational objectives.
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to understand current and future business requirements.
- Manage supplier relationships and performance review processes to maximise value and service delivery.
- Deliver procurement savings and wider commercial benefits across assigned categories.
- Support procurement governance, transparency requirements, and compliance activities.
- Prepare and present procurement reports, business cases, and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of procurement policies, processes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
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What you'll need to succeed
We are looking for an experienced procurement professional with:
- Proven category management experience across Corporate Services categories.
- Experience leading complex procurement projects from strategy development through to contract award.
- Strong understanding of public sector procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance compliance and value delivery.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and driving performance improvements.
- Strong analytical, reporting, and presentation capabilities.
- MCIPS qualification or progressing towards CIPS Level 5/6.
- The ability to work independently while building collaborative relationships across a complex organisation.
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What you'll get in return
- A strategic procurement role with genuine influence across the organisation.
- Opportunity to shape and develop Corporate Services category strategies.
- Exposure to a varied and interesting procurement portfolio.
- Hybrid working arrangement with just one day per week in the office.
- Excellent public sector benefits package.
- Investment in professional development and career progression.
- Supportive and collaborative team environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Category Manager looking to join a values-led organisation where procurement is recognised as a strategic partner and where they can make a tangible impact on business performance and service delivery.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
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