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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic plans and manage supplier relationships to drive innovation and value.
- Company: Join a leading firm known for its excellence in commercial operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of category management, influencing change and making an impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic category management and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Based in Berkshire, with a salary range of £45,000 - £58,000.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 58000 £ per year.
As a Category Manager, you’ll act as the commercial expert for your assigned category, using deep market knowledge to shape and execute strategic plans. Your expertise will help drive innovation, maximise value, and ensure the client remains a leader in its commercial operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement comprehensive, end-to-end category strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Deliver detailed market insight and category expertise, including the identification and management of risks at the category level.
- Manage a portfolio of suppliers, ensuring performance expectations are not only met but exceeded throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Lead the end-to-end tender process, including the evaluation of competitive proposals for goods and services.
- Support suppliers in delivering innovation and added value.
- Provide accurate and timely updates on projects using appropriate reporting tools and systems.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience in strategic category management from strategy development through to execution.
- Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to drive change both internally and externally.
- A proactive mindset with the confidence to challenge the status quo and identify opportunities for long-term improvement.
- Demonstrated success in managing complex supplier negotiations, with deal values up to £100 million.
- A good understanding of complex supply chain environments.
- Excellent prioritisation skills and the ability to manage complexity and risk effectively.
Location: Berkshire
Salary: £45,000 - £58,000
Contact Detail:
Investigo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Indirect
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in category management and supply chain dynamics. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have experience in strategic category management. Engaging in conversations can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier negotiations or implemented category strategies in the past. Real-life scenarios can showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter's values and recent projects related to category management. Tailoring your discussions around our initiatives can show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to our success.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Indirect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in strategic category management. Focus on your achievements in developing and executing category strategies, as well as any specific examples of managing supplier relationships and negotiations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your market knowledge and how it aligns with the company's objectives. Discuss your proactive mindset and provide examples of how you've successfully driven change in previous roles.
Showcase Your Skills: Clearly outline your influencing and stakeholder engagement skills in your application. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've managed complex negotiations and delivered value in past positions.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any errors or inconsistencies. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Category Manager role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Investigo
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to develop and implement comprehensive category strategies. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully shaped strategic plans and driven innovation.
✨Highlight Your Market Knowledge
Deep market knowledge is crucial for this role. Be ready to discuss current trends in the industry and how they could impact the category you would be managing. This shows that you are proactive and well-informed.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills are essential. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully engaged with stakeholders to drive change or improve processes, showcasing your communication abilities.
✨Prepare for Supplier Negotiation Scenarios
Given the importance of managing complex supplier negotiations, think of examples where you've negotiated significant deals. Be prepared to discuss your approach, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved to illustrate your negotiation prowess.
