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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in indirect procurement strategies for a global pharmaceutical company.
- Company: Join Dechra, a purpose-driven organisation improving animal health worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategies and drive efficiency in a fast-growing environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and ability to engage stakeholders.
- Other info: Opportunity for global travel and a supportive, values-led culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Northwich / Manchester (Hybrid)
Be part of shaping Dechra's global Indirect Procurement strategy.
About the Role
We're building something exciting at Dechra. Our newly created Indirect Procurement function sits at the heart of our global Supply Chain organisation and we're looking for a Category Manager - Indirect Services who can help shape, elevate, and professionalise how we buy and manage critical services across the business.
If you love autonomy, strategic ownership, and the chance to build category strategies from the ground up, this is your opportunity to make a genuine impact across a fast-growing international pharmaceutical manufacturer specialising in animal health.
What You'll Lead
As our Category Manager, you will own key indirect services categories including:
- Corporate & Professional Services
- HR / Finance / Audit / Tax
- Marketing
- Fleet and Travel
- Other strategic indirect spend areas
You will drive efficiency, performance, and value by:
- Developing and delivering category strategies that unlock savings and improve service
- Leading supplier negotiations, SRM, and risk mitigation
- Using market intelligence to keep us competitive
- Building strong partnerships across the business including global stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance and embedding procurement best practice
- Creating clear KPIs to track and enhance supplier performance
This role is high-visibility, high-impact, and perfectly suited to someone who thrives in a growing procurement function with a blank canvas to innovate.
Why Dechra?
When you join Dechra, you join a purpose-driven organisation dedicated to improving the lives of animals worldwide. You'll be part of a culture shaped by our values:
- Dedication
- Enjoyment
- Courage
- Honesty
- Relationships
- Ambition
Here, procurement is not just a transactional function - it's a strategic enabler, and your expertise will help transform how our organisation operates globally.
What You Bring
We're looking for someone who can combine procurement expertise with influential stakeholder engagement:
- Several years experience in procurement within a global professional environment
- Proven track record leading indirect categories
- Strong negotiation & commercial skills
- Ability to build relationships at all levels, including C-suite
- Experience creating category strategies from scratch
- Understanding of legal & contractual frameworks
- ERP / multi-site systems experience
- TCO & end-to-end supply chain mindset
Bonus:
- CIPS qualification
- Leadership experience
- Pharmaceutical or regulated-industry exposure
Growth, Ownership & Opportunity
This is your chance to:
- Shape an evolving global procurement function
- Influence strategic decisions across the business
- Own key categories with real autonomy
- Drive measurable value, efficiency and performance
- Build your career within a supportive, ambitious, values-led organisation
Global travel may occasionally be required but your core base will be Northwich or Manchester with hybrid flexibility.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you're a strategic thinker with a passion for continuous improvement and building world-class procurement capability, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape the future of Indirect Procurement at Dechra.
Category Manager - Indirect Services in Northwich employer: Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited
Contact Detail:
Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Indirect Services in Northwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in what they do and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills. As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Indirect Services in Northwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Category Manager role. Highlight your procurement expertise and any relevant achievements in indirect services to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to shaping our global procurement strategy. Be genuine and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples where you've driven efficiency or saved costs in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so don’t shy away from sharing quantifiable results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dechra Pharmaceuticals Limited
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific indirect services categories you'll be managing. Understand the trends, challenges, and opportunities in areas like Corporate Services, HR, and Marketing. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant savings or improved service levels. Be ready to discuss your approach to supplier relationship management and how you've mitigated risks in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to lead negotiations effectively.
✨Build a Connection with Stakeholders
Think about how you can engage with various stakeholders, including C-suite executives. Prepare to share experiences where you've successfully built relationships across different levels of an organisation. Highlighting your interpersonal skills will show that you can navigate the complexities of a global environment.
✨Emphasise Your Strategic Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you've developed category strategies from scratch in the past. Share your thought process on creating KPIs and how you've used market intelligence to drive decisions. This will illustrate your strategic thinking and ability to add value to the procurement function.