Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and develop procurement strategies for major UK retail clients.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on strategic category management in the FM industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, annual bonus, 33 days holiday, and private health care.
- Why this job: Join a team that drives innovation and makes a real impact in procurement.
- Qualifications: 5 years in procurement or category management; CIPS qualification preferred.
- Other info: Remote work with occasional travel to Glasgow; excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (Some travel expected to Glasgow Head Office, few times per month, company funded travel)
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 40 Hours Per Week
Salary: Competitive salary range depending on experience + Car / Car Allowance + Annual Bonus, 33 Days Holiday, Private Pension & Benefits - Including Private Health Care, Life Insurance, Employee Discounts!
An exciting opportunity has emerged for an experienced Category Manager to join our company, working with some of the biggest UK retail clients. The function has recently restructured to support a more strategic approach to how we procure and contract with our contractors and supply chain, putting strategic category management at the heart of what we will deliver.
The role will see you responsible for the management of City Groups’ (UK & Ireland) contractor relationships, this includes all PPM and reactive suppliers within a given customer contract. Through category management you will be able to leverage our wider market coverage on dedicated categories where you can build your own strategy, efficiencies plan and overall pipeline helping us deliver for our major customers and City itself.
The successful candidate will need to be strategically minded and will support in the development and implementation of procurement strategies ensuring cost efficiency, quality and supplier reliability. The role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, driving innovation and collaborating with internal stakeholders to meet City and our Client’s objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage all supplier relationships and contract delivery for allocated contractors and supply chain
- Build strong engagement and trust with City’s customers, responding promptly to client requests and using performance scorecards to demonstrate achievement of delivery targets and contractual compliance
- Lead on Procurement savings and efficiencies delivery for the business
- Support category strategy development
- Create and oversee a regular supplier audit regime to assure City and its customers of suppliers’ compliance regarding health and safety, and other key compliance aspects
- Work with customers to set annual budgets and ensure alignment within wider procurement team to deliver schedule of services in line with budget
- Act as an escalation point for all supplier related issues
Financial Responsibility:
The Category Manager will work with the wider procurement team to ensure contract charges are accurate and aligned to the services delivered. In addition, the Category Managers will work with finance and the wider procurement team to review and over or under spend, supporting preparation of budgets where required. The Category Manager will also be expected to positively impact the P&L of the company through the delivery of in contract savings.
People Responsibility:
The Category Manager will not have any direct reports but will be expected to collaborate positively with a wide group of stakeholders including the client, wider procurement team and field operations.
Qualifications / Experience:
Essential:
- 5 years’ experience of working within a procurement or category management position
- CIPS qualification or equivalent experience
- Knowledge of FM, retail and hospitality or customer service industry, preferred, but not essential
Desirable but not essential:
- A working knowledge of the maintenance service within the FM industry is preferable, with previous working knowledge of a multi-site contracted environment being desirable.
Key Skills required:
- Strong commercial and supplier management experience and capability
- Confidence to deliver through negotiations
- Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders
- Strategic and Procurement Process mindset
- Ability to build, nurture and grow relationships with suppliers and customers
- Credibility to deliver a successful SRM programme
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to critically challenge
- Understanding of contracts and the key service deliverables within contracts
Category Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: City Facilities Management Holdings Ltd
Contact Detail:
City Facilities Management Holdings Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their procurement strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you're genuinely interested and well-prepared!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement and supplier management, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant qualifications like CIPS. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in category management and how you’ve successfully built relationships with suppliers. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Strategic Mindset: In your application, make sure to highlight your strategic thinking abilities. We’re looking for someone who can develop and implement procurement strategies effectively. Share any experiences where you’ve driven innovation or improved efficiencies in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at City Facilities Management Holdings Ltd
✨Know Your Category Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your category management knowledge, especially in the FM and retail sectors. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven efficiencies in previous roles. This will show that you understand the strategic importance of the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and negotiation tactics. Think of specific examples where you've had to manage supplier issues or implement procurement strategies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight instances where you've built strong relationships and how that positively impacted project outcomes. This will illustrate your ability to work well within a team.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
The role requires strong analytical skills, so be ready to talk about how you've used data to inform your decisions. Bring examples of how you've critically challenged processes or improved contract compliance through analysis. This will show that you're not just a doer but a thinker too.
