Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and drive procurement strategies for major retail clients.
- Company: Join a leading company in the retail FM sector with a focus on strategic growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, annual bonus, and extensive holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping procurement strategies and enhancing supplier performance.
- Qualifications: 5 years in procurement or category management; CIPS qualification preferred.
- Other info: Remote role with occasional travel to Glasgow; excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 45900 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Job Title: Category Manager (Retail FM)
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: Salary ranging between £45,900 – £60,000 (depending on experience) + Car / Car Allowance of £5,700 + 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.
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 Manager will work with finance and the wider procurement team to review and overspend or underspend, 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Category Manager- Retail FM employer: City Facilities Management
Contact Detail:
City Facilities Management Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager- Retail FM
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its clients. Understand their procurement strategies and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as someone who’s not just looking for any job, but is genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨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 your confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager- Retail FM
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 mention 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 how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or delivered savings in previous roles. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Strategic Mindset: In your application, make sure to demonstrate your strategic thinking. Talk about how you’ve developed and implemented procurement strategies in the past. We’re keen to see how you can contribute to our mission of delivering value to our clients.
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 serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at City Facilities Management
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s procurement strategies and their approach to category management. Familiarise yourself with their major clients and recent projects. This will not only show your interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your supplier management and negotiation skills. Think about times when you successfully implemented cost-saving strategies or improved supplier relationships. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves collaborating with various stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you’ve built relationships in previous positions. Share examples of how you’ve effectively communicated and worked with different teams to achieve common goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Ask about the company’s future procurement strategies or how they measure success in supplier relationships. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
