At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape category strategy and develop supplier relationships in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: Join a £2bn global defence and security organisation with a mission-driven focus.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work collaboratively across teams and contribute to procurement transformation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while driving innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in strategic category management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Location: Farnborough
Term: 6 Months
IR35: INSIDE
Day Rate: £DOE
Working Pattern: Hybrid (3 days per week onsite)
Department: Supply Chain & Procurement
The Role
We are working with a £2bn global defence and security organisation delivering mission-critical solutions across land, sea, air, space and cyber. Due to continued growth and transformation across the business, they are looking for an experienced Category Manager - Engineering Services & Materials to join their Materials, Manufacturing & Products team. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional to play a key role in shaping category strategy, developing supplier relationships and delivering commercial value across a complex engineering and technology environment. You will work closely with stakeholders across the organisation, influencing business planning, developing sourcing strategies and managing strategic suppliers across engineering services and materials.
Experience working with NEC3/NEC4 contracts, construction procurement, contract administration, change control, risk management and commercial governance advantageous. Exposure to Net Zero initiatives, sustainability and early-stage project development/RIBA 0-2 highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute category strategies for Engineering Services and Materials.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers, providing early procurement engagement to influence business planning.
- Lead sourcing activity, including developing sourcing strategies, supporting investment cases, running competitive tenders and negotiating complex contracts.
- Identify opportunities to deliver cost savings, value, innovation and supply-chain improvements.
- Manage category-specific risks including supply resilience, information security, geopolitical, financial and sustainability risks.
- Support Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) across key contracts, ensuring supplier performance, innovation and value realisation.
- Use market intelligence and supplier insight to inform sourcing and category decisions.
- Work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing, finance, operations and other business functions.
- Support procurement and supply-chain transformation, including the transition from SAP Ariba to Oracle Fusion and development of a mature Source-to-Pay model.
- Challenge existing ways of working and contribute to the continued development of the procurement function.
- Balance commercial, operational and risk considerations to achieve the best outcomes for the business.
About You
We are looking for an experienced procurement/category management professional who can operate confidently within a complex engineering or technology-led environment. A degree or equivalent professional experience. 3+ years' strategic category management experience within similar categories of spend. Proven experience developing and implementing procurement/category strategies. Experience negotiating manufacturing, engineering services and supply contracts. Strong supplier relationship management and stakeholder engagement experience. Excellent commercial, negotiation and influencing skills. Experience managing procurement activity across the project lifecycle. Strong understanding of procurement risk, supply resilience and commercial governance. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. The ability to work independently, interpret data and use insight to support decision making. A collaborative approach and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Practical experience with Source-to-Pay (S2P) technology. MCIPS qualification or active progression towards MCIPS would be desirable.
Security Clearance (SC) or eligibility to gain is required to be considered for this vacancy.
Category Manager - Engineering Services & Materials in Farnborough employer: Gold Group
Join a leading Facilities Management organisation in Birmingham, where we prioritise employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive benefits including a generous salary, car allowance, and extensive learning opportunities, we foster a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility and employee assistance programmes ensures a fulfilling and rewarding workplace for all team members.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Engineering Services & Materials in Farnborough
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Engineering Services & Materials in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Gold Group that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Gold Group can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Gold Group that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Gold Group know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gold Group
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
