At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and drive value across indirect spend categories.
- Company: Purpose-led organisation with a focus on collaboration and impact.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in procurement strategies and supplier relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in indirect procurement and strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: High-visibility role with broad stakeholder exposure and career development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Demonstrable experience in the strategic procurement of indirect goods and services within a private sector environment highly desirable.
Are you a commercially minded procurement professional looking to step into a role with real strategic influence? We’re partnering with a highly respected, purpose-led organisation seeking a Procurement Category Lead to drive strategic sourcing, supplier performance, and value delivery across a range of indirect spend categories.
The Opportunity
This is a high-impact role where you’ll shape and deliver category strategies, lead complex procurement activity end-to-end, and partner closely with senior stakeholders to drive commercial outcomes. You’ll play a key role in embedding best practice procurement, delivering measurable savings, and strengthening supplier relationships across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end procurement activity across key service contracts (RFI/RFP, tendering, negotiation, implementation)
- Develop and deliver category strategies aligned to business objectives
- Drive spend optimisation and cost-saving initiatives
- Partner with budget holders to ensure commercially sound decision-making
- Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to inform sourcing strategy
- Manage supplier relationships, performance, and risk
- Lead supplier reviews and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support development of business cases and track benefit realisation
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies and governance
- Mentor and develop Procurement Officers, supporting capability uplift
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in indirect procurement / category management
- Strong track record delivering category strategies and commercial outcomes
- Experience leading complex tenders and negotiating contracts
- Ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- High level of credibility, resilience, and commercial judgement
- Desirable: CIPS qualification
- Experience with Oracle P2P or similar systems
Why Apply?
- Strategic, high-visibility role with real business impact
- Opportunity to shape procurement maturity and best practice
- Collaborative, purpose-driven environment
- Broad stakeholder exposure across a complex organisation
If you’re interested in hearing more, feel free to reach out directly or apply via LinkedIn.
Procurement Category Manager employer: Bruin
Contact Detail:
Bruin Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about roles that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their goals and can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic roles waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Plus, it’s super easy!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Procurement Category Manager. Highlight your experience in strategic procurement and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive commercial outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led complex procurement activities and delivered measurable savings in previous positions.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since strong analytical capability is key, don’t shy away from including examples where your problem-solving skills made a difference. Whether it’s through market analysis or benchmarking, let us see your thought process.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bruin
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of strategic procurement, especially in indirect goods and services. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they align with the role's requirements. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully driven category strategies or delivered measurable savings.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role involves partnering with senior stakeholders, so be prepared to demonstrate your ability to influence and collaborate effectively. Think of instances where you've navigated complex relationships and achieved commercial outcomes. It’s all about showing you can communicate and negotiate with confidence.
✨Prepare for Market Analysis Questions
Since market analysis and benchmarking are key responsibilities, be ready to discuss how you've conducted these in the past. Bring examples of how your analysis informed sourcing strategies and led to successful procurement decisions. This will show your analytical prowess and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Talk about your experience in managing supplier relationships and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Share specific examples of how you've led supplier reviews and implemented changes that enhanced performance. This will highlight your commitment to best practices in procurement.