Category Manager in Walsall

6 Month Contract With A Local Authority

To lead and deliver category-based procurement, commercial and contract management strategies across a designated area of spend, ensuring value for money, compliance and positive commercial outcomes for the Council.

The postholder will work closely with stakeholders across the organisation, providing strategic procurement expertise, leading sourcing activities and supporting the development of innovative procurement solutions. The role will oversee complex procurement exercises, supplier management activities and category strategies while ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations and Council governance requirements.

The Category Manager will also provide leadership, mentoring and support to Procurement staff and contribute to the delivery of the Council's wider commercial, sustainability and social value objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Category Management & Procurement

• Lead the development and implementation of category procurement strategies.
  
• Manage end-to-end procurement exercises across goods, services and works categories.
  
• Deliver compliant procurement activities in accordance with procurement legislation and Council policies.
  
• Develop annual category procurement plans and sourcing strategies.
  
• Use spend analysis, market intelligence and benchmarking data to identify savings and value opportunities.
  
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives to improve value for money and service outcomes.
  
• Lead procurement projects from planning through to contract award.
  
• Support stakeholders with procurement planning, market engagement and contract strategy development.
  
• Promote early market engagement to improve procurement outcomes.
  

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with Directors, Heads of Service and key stakeholders.
  
• Provide expert procurement and commercial advice across the organisation.
  
• Support stakeholders in developing specifications, performance measures and procurement documentation.
  
• Promote procurement best practice and compliance throughout the Council.
  
• Participate in regional procurement groups and knowledge-sharing forums.
  

Contract & Commercial Management

• Provide commercial input into contract development, negotiation and supplier management.
  
• Support the implementation of robust contract management frameworks.
  
• Work closely with Contract Management teams to ensure a coordinated commercial approach.
  
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
  
• Support delivery of social value, sustainability and local economic objectives through contracts.
  
• Ensure effective vendor management and supplier relationship management approaches are adopted.
  

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise and support Category Specialists, Assistant Category Specialists and Apprentices where applicable.
  
• Provide coaching, mentoring and development opportunities for team members.
  
• Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives.
  
• Promote a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
  

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
  • Public Procurement Legislation
    
  • Financial Regulations
    
  • Contract Procedure Rules
    
  • Government Commercial Guidance
    
  • Council Policies and Procedures
    
• Support procurement governance and approval processes.
  
• Prepare Gateway documentation, reports and business cases where required.
  
• Ensure procurement activities are fully documented and auditable.
  

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to procurement policy development and service improvement initiatives.
  
• Identify opportunities to modernise procurement processes and improve efficiency.
  
• Promote innovation, digitalisation and best practice across procurement activities.
  
• Support SME, VCSE and local supplier engagement initiatives.
  

Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience delivering strategic procurement and category management activities.
  
• Strong knowledge of Public Procurement Regulations and public sector procurement legislation.
  
• Experience managing complex procurement exercises from end to end.
  
• Extensive experience developing category strategies and procurement plans.
  
• Strong commercial, contract management and supplier management skills.
  
• Experience analysing spend data and market intelligence to support procurement decisions.
  
• Experience producing procurement reports, business cases and governance documentation.
  
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
  
• Experience advising senior managers and service leaders.
  
• Ability to negotiate effectively and achieve positive commercial outcomes.
  
• Excellent analytical, financial and problem-solving skills.
  
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
  
• Experience supervising, mentoring or managing staff.
  
• Experience using e-tendering platforms and procurement systems.
  
• Strong knowledge of contract structures, procurement routes and sourcing methodologies.
  

Desirable

• Experience within Local Government or the Public Sector.
  
• Contract Management qualification or Government Commercial Function training.
  
• PRINCE2, Agile or other Project Management qualification.
  
• Leadership or management training.
  
• Experience delivering social value and sustainable procurement outcomes.
  
• Experience engaging with SMEs, VCSE organisations and local supply chains.
  

Qualifications

• Level 5 Professional Qualification in Procurement, Commercial Management, Supply Chain, Business or a related field, or equivalent experience.
  
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
  
• Contract Management Training (or willingness to complete).
  
• Leadership or Management qualification/training (or willingness to undertake).
  

Additional Information

• Location: Remote / Walsall
  
• Hours Per Week: 37 Hours
  
• Payment Frequency: Bi-Weekly Payments