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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: Location in Berkshire with a salary range of £45,000 - £58,000.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 52000 £ 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
Category Manager - Indirect employer: Investigo
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 will showcase your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter’s values and recent projects related to category management. Tailoring your approach to align with our mission will 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 successful supplier negotiations you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your market knowledge and how it aligns with the company's objectives. Mention specific examples of how you've driven innovation and maximised value in previous roles.
Showcase Stakeholder Engagement Skills: Demonstrate your strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've successfully driven change and managed complex relationships in past positions.
Highlight Risk Management Experience: Since the role involves managing risks at the category level, include any relevant experience you have in identifying and mitigating risks within supply chain environments. This will show your proactive mindset and ability to manage complexity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Investigo
✨Showcase Your Market Knowledge
As a Category Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of the market. Prepare specific examples of how you've used market insights to shape strategies in previous roles. This will show your potential employer that you can bring valuable expertise to their team.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills are key for this role. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you've successfully engaged with stakeholders to drive change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Prepare for Supplier Negotiation Scenarios
Given the importance of managing complex supplier negotiations, prepare to discuss specific instances where you've negotiated significant deals. Highlight your approach, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved to illustrate your negotiation prowess.
✨Demonstrate a Proactive Mindset
Employers are looking for candidates who can challenge the status quo and identify opportunities for improvement. Think of examples where you've taken initiative to implement changes or improvements in your previous roles, and be prepared to share these during the interview.
