Interim Category Manager - Directs £450pd

Interim Category Manager - Directs £450pd

• Location

  Berkshire

• Sector:

  Procurement

• Job type:

  Contract

• Salary:

  £400 - £450 per day

• Contact:

  Claire Shipman

• Contact email:

  claire.shipman@1st-executive.com

• Job ref:

  CS14072_1784027890

• Published:

  26 days ago

• Duration:

  7 months

• Expiry date:

  2026-08-13

• Startdate:

  ASAP

Interim Category Manager (Directs)

Location: Berkshire (Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite)
Contract: 7 months
Rate: £450 per day (Umbrella, Inside IR35)
Client: Major Public Sector organisation

We're recruiting for an experienced Category Manager to join a high-profile organisation operating within a highly regulated environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional with strong strategic sourcing and supplier management experience to support a busy procurement function delivering critical business objectives.

The Role:

• Support the delivery of category strategies across Direct spend areas.
• Lead end-to-end procurement activities, including RFx processes, supplier evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, driving performance, value and risk management.
• Work closely with stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies and deliver commercial outcomes.
• Analyse markets, supplier capability and business intelligence to support category development.
• Prepare supplier review packs, reports and presentation materials.
• Contribute to supplier performance management, contract management and supply chain continuity.

Requirements:

• 5+ years' Category Management experience.
• Proven experience delivering end-to-end procurement activities.
• Experience working within a highly regulated industry, ideally with public procurement regulations knowledge.
• Strong supplier relationship management experience.
• Strategic commercial mindset with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident stakeholder management and communication skills across all levels.
• Experience supporting existing category strategies and procurement programmes.

Note: Due to the sensitivity of this requirement, candidates will be required to hold, or be able to gain and maintain, active Security Clearance.

This is an urgent requirement - if interested, please apply asap and, any questions, email claire.shipman@1st-executive.com