Interim Category Manager - MRO / Direct Materials
Contract: Initial 6 months, likely extension to 12 months
Rate: Up to £700 per day
Location: Bristol or London preferred
Attendance: Bristol approximately once per week, with flexibility for additional stakeholder engagement
The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Category Manager with strong Direct Materials and/or MRO experience to join a growing strategic Category Management function. The role will focus on strategically important supply chains and supplier markets, with particular emphasis on resilience, market capability and long‑term supply chain strategy. This is an opportunity to apply strategic category management expertise to some of the UK's most important programmes, contributing to national security and sovereign capability.
The role
- Lead strategic category management activity across direct materials and/or MRO-related categories.
- Develop category strategies for complex and strategically important supply markets.
- Analyse supply chain structures, market dynamics and supplier capability.
- Identify resilience risks and opportunities.
- Develop strategic approaches to securing and strengthening critical supply chains.
- Work closely with major programmes and senior stakeholders.
- Build relationships with suppliers and industry.
- Use market intelligence, research and available data to develop robust strategic recommendations.
- Make progress and informed decisions where the available data set is incomplete.
- Influence stakeholders to adopt category management recommendations.
About you
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong experience in Direct Materials procurement and/or MRO.
- Strategic category management expertise.
- Experience working with complex industrial or engineering supply chains.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
- The ability to operate with ambiguity and incomplete information.
- Strong analytical and commercial judgement.
- A self‑starting and proactive approach.
- Resilience, tenacity and a constructive approach to challenge.
This role requires someone who is:
- Agile – able to adapt quickly as information and priorities develop.
- Consultative – able to bring stakeholders with them.
- Tenacious – able to maintain momentum in a challenging environment.
- Commercially curious – willing to investigate markets and supply chains in depth.
- Comfortable with ambiguity – able to make progress without waiting for a perfect data set.
- Positive and self‑motivated – able to operate effectively with limited direction.
Security
Candidates DO NOT NEED TO HOLD CURRENT S/C BUT must be eligible to obtain and maintain SC Security Clearance and satisfy the relevant national security and nationality eligibility requirements.
Location and working pattern
Ideally based within commuting distance of Bristol or London.
- 1 Day per week Bristol
- Additional office or stakeholder attendance as required.
- Travel expenses managed in accordance with the assignment arrangements.
Interview process
One-stage Teams interview.
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