Senior Category Manager

Job Title: Interim Senior Category Manager

Location: North West, Hybrid (2 days p/w office based)

Duration: Until March 2025

Pay: Inside IR35 – 400-500 per day DOE (negotiable)

Spencer Clarke group’s Local Authority Client is seeking two experienced Interim Senior Category Managers to join our dynamic Procurement team. One role will focus on Highways categories, while the other will specialize in public sector corporate procurement. As a Senior Category Manager, you will lead and deliver high-quality category management across a range of spend areas, supporting the transformation of Procurement to a category management approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver innovative and intelligence-led category management strategies to drive transformation within Procurement.
• Build strong working relationships with senior service colleagues, commissioners, category teams, contract managers, suppliers, and external partners.
• Lead high-value category procurement exercises to secure goods, works, and services that address the needs of our customers while ensuring value for money and compliance with procurement legislation.
• Provide commercial and market intelligence to internal customers to support strategic planning and project delivery.
• Play a proactive role in developing commercial strategies to meet the needs of specific service areas within the council.

Education & Qualifications

• Full membership of CIPS or a similar related professional body.
• Evidence of continued professional and personal development.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing innovative category strategies and achieving value for money through effective procurement.
• Experience in preparing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting procurement management information.
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive working relationships at a senior level and influence policy decisions.
• Significant experience in contract formation and procurement strategy development.
• Excellent knowledge of strategic procurement processes and emerging practices.
• Thorough understanding of UK procurement legislation and regulations affecting the public sector.
• Knowledge of financial procedures, including price, cost, and bid analysis, as well as budget management.
• Familiarity with internal financial management arrangements and Local Government organization and services.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying, please apply now with your CV and contact Joe O’Halloran at Spencer Clarke Group on 01772 954200 ASAP.