Hays
Procurement Category Manager

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Your new company
Are you an experienced Procurement Manager or Category Manager with expertise in construction, asset management, property services, hard FM, or development procurement within a public sector environment?
We are supporting a large, purpose-led organisation with the appointment of two Category Managers to join an established procurement team. These roles offer the opportunity to lead strategic sourcing activity across high-profile spend areas, influencing organisational outcomes while delivering commercial value and procurement best practice. This is an excellent opportunity for procurement professionals who enjoy stakeholder engagement, supplier management, strategic sourcing, and working within a regulated procurement environment.
Your new role
As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for delivering a portfolio of strategic procurement projects, working closely with stakeholders to develop category strategies, identify opportunities, manage risk, and drive value for money across your area of responsibility. You will support one of the following categories:
- Property Services
- Development
Working as part of a collaborative procurement function, you will lead sourcing activities from market engagement through to contract award and supplier performance management, ensuring procurement activity supports wider business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver end-to-end procurement and sourcing projects across designated category areas.
- Develop and implement category strategies that align with organisational priorities and stakeholder needs.
- Manage supplier engagement, tender exercises, negotiations, contract award and supplier performance activities.
- Ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations and governance requirements.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand future requirements, challenges and opportunities.
- Conduct market analysis and supplier research to support procurement decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to deliver efficiencies, cost savings, value creation and service improvements.
- Support supplier relationship management activities and ongoing contract life cycle management.
- Monitor expenditure and ensure appropriate routes to market are adopted.
- Promote procurement best practice, compliance, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What you'll need to succeed
We are keen to speak with procurement professionals who can demonstrate:
- Experience in a Category Manager, Procurement Manager or Strategic Sourcing role.
- Strong procurement expertise within construction, development, property services, asset management, repairs and maintenance, hard FM or related categories.
- Proven experience leading complex sourcing exercises and delivering commercial outcomes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Strong supplier relationship management and contract management experience.
- Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong analytical and commercial decision-making skills.
- Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations, including Procurement Act 2023 and/or PCR 2015.
- Experience within housing, local government, wider public sector, facilities management, construction or infrastructure environments would be highly advantageous.


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What you'll get in return
- Hybrid working model with an excellent work-life balance - 2 days a week in Basingstoke
- Opportunity to work on high-value, strategically important procurement projects.
- Diverse and interesting category portfolios.
- Supportive and collaborative procurement team.
- Strong commitment to professional development and career progression.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional looking to play a key role in delivering strategic procurement initiatives within a complex and evolving organisation.
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.
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