Group Indirect Category Manager in Northampton

Global Category Manager - Indirect ProcurementNorthamptonshire | Hybrid | 65,000 - 80,000 + PackageTo apply, contact Adam at you an experienced procurement professional looking to take ownership of global indirect categories within a business undergoing a significant procurement transformation?We are partnering with a long-established, international manufacturing organisation that is investing significantly in the development of its global procurement function.Historically, procurement has largely operated at a local and site level. The business is now moving towards a more strategic, centre-led model, creating an excellent opportunity for an experienced Global Category Manager to help shape category strategy and drive greater consistency across an international manufacturing footprint.Reporting into the Head of Indirect Procurement, you will take strategic ownership of assigned indirect categories, supporting an overall portfolio of approximately 50m of indirect spend across 8 global manufacturing and operating locations. Scott Bader Job Description - G…This is a broad category management position covering strategy, strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiation, risk and procurement transformation. You will work closely with stakeholders across Operations, Finance, HR, IT, Legal, Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain and site leadership.The role offers considerably more than simply running sourcing exercises. You will help develop 3-5 year category strategies, identify opportunities across the global spend base and support the wider journey towards a more professional, coordinated and strategically focused procurement function.As Global Category Manager, you will:Develop and implement 3-5 year global category strategies across assigned areas of indirect spendConduct spend analysis, market analysis and category opportunity assessments to identify commercial opportunitiesBuild category roadmaps and strategic sourcing pipelines across multiple international sitesLead end-to-end strategic sourcing activity including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, competitive tenders and commercial negotiationsNegotiate complex supplier agreements, service contracts, pricing structures and performance commitmentsDevelop strategic supplier relationships and introduce stronger approaches to supplier performance management, SLAs and KPIsIdentify value through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, demand management, specification optimisation and continuous improvementWork closely with stakeholders across multiple functions and geographies, providing commercial challenge and procurement expertiseSupport improvements to Source-to-Pay processes, procurement governance and complianceIdentify and mitigate supplier, commercial, operational and regulatory risksSupport the development of procurement reporting, analytics and performance measurementContribute to the wider procurement transformation, helping standardise processes and improve procurement maturity across the organisationWe are looking for:Strong procurement experience with a proven background in indirect category management and strategic sourcingExperience developing category strategies and delivering measurable commercial valueStrong sourcing, tendering, negotiation and contract management experienceExperience managing supplier relationships and driving supplier performanceThe ability to operate effectively within a complex stakeholder environmentStrong commercial and analytical capability, with the confidence to challenge stakeholders and influence decision-makingExperience across a broad range of indirect categoriesExposure to a global, multi-site or manufacturing environment would be highly advantageousExperience supporting procurement transformation or procurement maturity improvement would be beneficialKnowledge of Source-to-Pay, procurement governance, supplier risk and contract managementA credible, collaborative and commercially focused approachMCIPS, working towards MCIPS or equivalent procurement experience would be advantageousThe formal specification places particular emphasis on category management, strategic sourcing, negotiation, stakeholder management and commercial analysis, with global/multi-site manufacturing and procurement transformation experience highlighted as desirable. Scott Bader Job Description - G…Why apply?This is an opportunity to join a procurement function at an important stage of its transformation, rather than stepping into a mature environment where the strategy and processes are already established.You will have the opportunity to shape global category strategies, work across multiple international sites and play a visible role in improving how indirect procurement operates across the organisation.For someone who enjoys strategic category management but also wants exposure to procurement transformation, stakeholder change and the development of a more centre-led global procurement model, this offers an excellent next step.To apply, contact Adam at