Category Manager - Operations & Corporate Services

Please note: this is a fixed term opportunity to cover maternity leave, available from 02nd March 2026 for up to 12 months

Are you passionate about procurement and motivated by making a difference?

This is an exciting time to join Barnardo\’s. Our new three-year strategy puts children, young people, and families at the heart of everything we do. Our newly revised Procurement function is a critical enabler of this strategy – ensuring our resources are managed sustainably and effectively so that we can continue to change childhoods and change lives.

This is where you come in.

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to join our growing team and help shape the implementation of a category management approach across the organisation. You will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of high-impact, value-for-money procurement strategies across our Operations & Corporate Services portfolio.

We are looking for someone who brings both technical expertise and a collaborative mindset. You will have demonstrable experience of delivering successful procurement and contract management outcomes in complex environments and be confident working with stakeholders at all levels.

Key Skills and Experience

• Corporate and Operational Services Procurement Expertise (Preferred) – Familiarity with procuring corporate and operational solutions and services. For Barnardo\’s this includes traditional back-office services as well as goods and services to support our front-line operations in retail and children\’s services.
• Category and Procurement Strategy – Proven ability to develop and implement procurement strategies that align with organisational objectives and deliver measurable value.
• Contract and Supplier Management – Experience in managing supplier performance, negotiating contracts, and overseeing successful transitions to new contractual arrangements in line with relevant legislation and governance.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Builds strong relationships across various stakeholder groups with a broad range of subject matter. Adapts communication to influence, guide, and support internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Coaching and Capability Building – Ability to share knowledge and support the development of commercial capability across teams.
• Risk Management – Identifies and mitigates commercial and sourcing risks to ensure resilience and value delivery.
• Data and Insight-Led Decision Making – Uses spend data, market intelligence, and contract performance insights to shape commercial decisions and deliver continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-led organisation at a pivotal moment of transformation. If you\’re looking to apply your procurement expertise in a way that makes a tangible difference, we\’d love to hear from you.

Please note that we do not operate under UK public procurement regulation so understanding and application of the Procurement Act is not a requirement of this job role.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.