At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement projects and manage key categories to deliver outstanding value.
- Company: Join ESPO, a dynamic public sector organisation with a commercial edge.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Great office location with easy access and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience, with strong procurement skills and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 43860 - 47829 £ per year.
Organisation: ESPO
Work Location: ESPO, Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1ES
Salary: £43,860 - £47,829 per annum (Pro rata for part time)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: Friday 20th March 2026
If you are looking for an exciting and challenging opportunity to work within the public sector for an organisation with a commercial edge, then ESPO is the place for you. We are seeking highly motivated procurement professionals who are eager to develop their careers and contribute to our mission of delivering outstanding value for our customers across the public sector.
We currently have several Category Manager vacancies within our Procurement Division. These roles sit at the heart of ESPO’s successful and growing portfolio of frameworks, offering the opportunity to lead strategic procurement projects, manage key categories and shape innovative solutions for our customers.
About the Role
As a Category Manager, you will be responsible for a portfolio of frameworks within a specific category area, ensuring they continue to meet customer needs and the latest market developments. You will work closely with stakeholders, building and maintaining strong relationships with both customers and suppliers to maximise the usage of each framework.
You will also provide leadership to a small team of procurement professionals, ensuring procurement projects are delivered on time and to plan and in full compliance with ESPO’s processes, procedures and the public procurement regulations.
About You
- Have a degree or equivalent qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience and are a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) or are actively working towards achieving membership.
- Have experience of procurement at an influential level in a medium/large complex organisation and have broad experience across purchasing and supply procedures, including sourcing, tendering and evaluation techniques.
- Can demonstrate practical experience operating within the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
- Proven track record in conducting and managing procurement processes, influencing the process to best meet objectives whilst seeking innovation, making savings and delivering value for money.
- Possess strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers and colleagues at all levels.
- Bring some degree of specialist category knowledge or expertise.
- Able to analyse complex issues quickly and respond, providing advice in a clear, concise and impartial manner as well as negotiating and influencing a range of stakeholders including customers, suppliers and collaborative working partners building relationships to achieve results.
In addition, we expect you to share our commitment to our values and will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the interview process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for this role.
What we offer:
- Flexible working opportunities
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 33 days after 5 years service) and a scheme to buy additional leave.
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution.
- Fully funded Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) membership.
- A range of salary sacrifice schemes, including car leasing.
- Extensive learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing professional growth.
- A great office location next to Fosse Park, Leicester, with free on‑site parking and easy access to the M1 and M69.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term‑time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.
For more information or an informal discussion, please contact: Kapil Rajput – k.rajput@espo.org or Richard Skelton – r.skelton@espo.org
How to Apply
At ESPO we’re looking for top talent from all walks of life. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whatever your background - we care about what you bring to our organisation, not just what’s on your CV. That’s why we’ve designed a recruitment process that’s fair, accessible, and focused on potential. And with benefits that support people at every age and stage of life, we make sure you can thrive - both personally and professionally.
Click the apply button to submit your application, ensuring that you upload a supporting statement that explains how you meet the criteria listed in the ‘About You’ section above. Without this information, we won’t be able to assess your suitability for the role, and your application will be rejected. For tips on how to write your statement, see the How to Apply section on our career site.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
If you have any technical issues when trying to apply for this post or you want to request an application pack in an alternative format, please contact our Employee Service Centre by telephoning 0300 3030222 (select option 2) or raise a ticket via our online portal: https://emss.org.uk/support.
By applying for this post, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
Category Manager in Enderby employer: ESPO Trading Limited
ESPO is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee development and well-being, offering flexible working opportunities and extensive learning resources to support your career growth. Located in the vibrant area of Enderby, Leicester, our organisation fosters a collaborative work culture where procurement professionals can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the public sector. With generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme, additional annual leave, and a commitment to inclusivity, ESPO is dedicated to creating a rewarding workplace for all employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Enderby
✨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 a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research ESPO and understand their mission and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in terms of delivering value and managing procurement processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! During interviews, highlight your experience with public procurement regulations and your ability to influence stakeholders. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed procurement projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, make sure to include a strong supporting statement that clearly outlines how you meet the criteria listed in the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Enderby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the criteria in the 'About You' section. We want to see how you fit into our mission and values, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Procurement Experience:When detailing your procurement experience, be specific about your achievements and how you've influenced processes in previous roles. We love seeing real examples of how you've delivered value for money and innovation.
Communicate Clearly:Use clear and concise language in your application. We appreciate strong communication skills, so make sure your writing reflects that. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role – keep it straightforward!
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can. Plus, it gives us more time to review your fantastic application!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESPO Trading Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show your expertise and readiness for the Category Manager position.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Think about times when you've successfully built relationships with customers or suppliers, and be ready to share how you influenced outcomes in those situations.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
As a Category Manager, you'll lead a small team. Be prepared to talk about your leadership style and provide specific examples of how you've managed teams in the past. Highlight any successful projects where your leadership made a difference.
✨Tailor Your Supporting Statement
Don't forget to craft a compelling supporting statement that directly addresses the criteria listed in the job description. This is your chance to shine, so make it personal and relevant to the role at ESPO. Without it, your application might not get the attention it deserves!
