Category Lead Manager

• Category Lead Manager – IT services
• Start date: 1st September
• End date: April 26
• Remote working
• Rate: £450 - £500 p/d (inside IR35)

Our client is a leading telecommunications business who specialise in projects across the Highways sector.

They currently require the services of a Category Lead Manager to join their team and manage categories of spend within their Highways department.

Candidates must have experience managing categories of spend within IT services.

Key Objectives:

• Accountable for managing categories of spend classed as Highways and associated spend with a significant total annual spend of circa £20m
• Responsible to ensure appropriate use of corporate and functional processes and tools
• Responsible for management of internal and external stakeholders
• Responsible for the creation and implementation of the designated commercial strategies for Highways
• Responsible for the creation of strategies for H/M/L value and complex / non-complex categories
• Responsible for all RFx activities, managing the sourcing process, negotiation and contracting activities for H/M/L value categories and complex / non-complex categories
• Responsible for the evaluation of suppliers as part of supplier on-boarding process and implementation of i Procurement strategy category code management in line with Category strategy
• Responsible for negotiation of flow-down terms for complex agreements
• Responsible for on-going supplier performance and supplier relationship management throughout the contract lifetime, including inputs to risk register and risk mitigation strategies
• Support input into corporate and functional business continuity and disaster recovery plan
• Implement legislative and international standards within the supply base.

Deliverables include:

• Responsible for RFx activities for both Bid tenders and Projects including creation and issue of NDA’s
• Production of best-fit contractual agreements with suppliers that fulfil all business requirements, including any flow-down terms
• Responsible for maintenance of Approved Supplier List (ASL) including supplier onboarding and evaluation
• Maintenance of category codes & responsible for creation of i Procurement strategy
• Responsible for identifying classification of supplier and creation of appropriate business review schedule
• Support with supplier audits and definition of social value contribution
• Responsible for identification of continuous improvement opportunities
• Responsible for completion of Telent Project Lifecycle gateway deliverables in a timely manner
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Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in category management in a procurement or commercial environment
• Experienced in people / team management
• Experience in developing category plans and strategy
• Excellent negotiation skills and techniques
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate exceptional stakeholder management approach and skills
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Skills/Qualifications: (Attained or working towards)

• Degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline
• Or Professional qualification MCIPS, preferably Chartered status

Essential:

• A track record in driving cost out and driving value up within a Procurement organisation
• A successful track record of following a strategic sourcing / category management methodology 

Desirable: 

• Effective prioritisation of workload
• Successfully managing conflicting approaches and objectives within matrix organisation
• Experience of Indirect Procurement within a Procurement department, preferably within above categories
• A background in engineering based and/or IT services would be advantageous

For more information, please contact Scarlet Wilson.