At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement activities and develop strategies for assigned spend categories.
- Company: Join GSA, a leader in providing affordable homes and community services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a health cash plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities while advancing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong stakeholder relationship skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to social purpose and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 45500 - 48500 £ per year.
Salary: £45,500 to 48,500 per annum – depending on skills and experience.
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full Time
Closing Date: 20th February 2026
Interview Date: TBC
About the role: You will proactively plan, coordinate and manage procurement activity, maximising savings, value for money and social value for a range of assigned spend categories. You will actively support internal stakeholders on the procurement journey from forward planning, establishing the requirement and procurement strategy, to tendering and contract award. You will manage compliance within internal Group Procurement Policy and external legal obligations (including Public Contract Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 23), where applicable. You will support internal stakeholders with contract management advice and guidance and ensure accurate contract data and reporting is maintained in line with legal requirements. You will actively manage end to end procurement projects, developing and delivering category strategies in line with overall business strategies and influence a broad network of business stakeholders to ensure the group requirements are aligned and commercially maximised with effective procurement solutions.
Please note that if you are successful in this role, we will require a DBS check to be completed. Further details will be sent following offer.
About you: You will have procurement experience, good knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations and Procurement Act 23 application, and have a suitable level of CIPS qualification or able to demonstrate similar standard via career experience. You will have the ability to create strong and effective stakeholder relationships to support on all aspects of the procurement process, including contract management. You will be a proactive solution finder, who is committed to process improvement and driving change where it is required. You will have the ability to evaluate suppliers and tender responses from analysis/interpretation of written/financial/contractual information. You will have good understanding of contract documentation and management. You will have strong commercial and business awareness, and excellent stakeholder communication skills. You will need to be competent with using MS Office, especially MS Word and Excel.
About us: We are GSA, we provide affordable homes and services that create a foundation from which people in our communities can thrive. We own and manage 25,000 homes in diverse communities across the West Midlands and Southwest. Everyone deserves a home, it’s a place from which we build our future, we thrive at home. We are proud to play an active role in dealing with the consequences of the housing crisis, by providing affordable homes for people in our communities who need them most. Often a home is all someone needs, but when our customers need more, we offer a range of services, including care, money advice and coaching to support them. We also provide care and support to some of the most vulnerable people in society. This includes support for people who are homeless, experiencing domestic violence or are part of the criminal justice system.
The GSA Way: We know that how we do things is just as important as what we do. To help us make a difference, together, we created the GSA Way. A culture we commit to, aspire to, and live and breathe. Commitments and behaviours which together make our organisation what it is. Our five core commitments are:
- We believe our customer is everything
- We are one team
- We are supportive and caring
- We are business-minded for social purpose
- We are curious and ambitious.
You can read more about the GSA Way in our recruitment pack.
Benefits: In support and recognition of our colleagues who will help us deliver our employer strategy, we offer a fantastic benefits package. This includes:
- 25 days annual holiday entitlement
- A defined contribution pension scheme.
- Trust based flexible working and a Confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Two days paid volunteering leave per year
- Buying and selling of annual leave
- Opt-in health cash plan with cover on eye test and glasses, Dental, therapy and much more!
All individuals who apply to work at GreenSquareAccord are considered on their merits in line with our Diversity and Inclusion strategy and policy. GreenSquareAccord are a Disability Confident Employer therefore we actively encourage applications from individuals with disabilities and try to provide access, adjustments, equipment or other practical support where required. All applicants with a disability who meet the ‘essential eligibility criteria’ for the role, as detailed in the job description, are guaranteed an interview. If you need any assistance, adjustments or adaptations throughout our selection processes please let us know.
Category Manager in Birmingham employer: GreenSquareAccord
Contact Detail:
GreenSquareAccord Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the hunt for a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations and the Procurement Act 23. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, as this will show you're not just a fit on paper but also in practice.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your stakeholder management skills! Think of examples where you've built strong relationships and influenced decisions. This is key for a Category Manager, so make sure to highlight these experiences during interviews.
✨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, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our mission at GSA.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your procurement experience and knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Category Manager, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills: Since building strong relationships is key in this role, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in the past. We love to see proactive solution finders who can communicate effectively!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at GreenSquareAccord
✨Know Your Procurement Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 23. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you understand the legal framework surrounding procurement, which is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with stakeholders in previous roles. Think about specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in the procurement process. This will demonstrate your ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
✨Be a Solution Finder
Come ready to discuss how you've proactively solved problems in past procurement projects. Highlight your approach to process improvement and any changes you've implemented that led to better outcomes. This will align with their need for someone who drives change.
✨Master Your MS Office Skills
Since you'll be using MS Word and Excel regularly, make sure you're comfortable with these tools. Consider preparing a few examples of how you've used them in your previous roles, especially in relation to contract management and data reporting.