At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape strategic sourcing strategies for key indirect spend categories and lead supplier negotiations.
- Company: Leading manufacturing organisation focused on operational excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: 3-month contract with potential for permanent role, plus worker discounts and prompt payments.
- Other info: Autonomy in your role with excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Indirect Procurement or Category Management with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A leading manufacturing organisation is seeking a Category Lead for Indirect Procurement to join its evolving Procurement function. As the business continues to invest in operational excellence, innovative solutions and smarter ways of working, this is an exciting opportunity to shape strategic sourcing outcomes that support long term growth.
In this strategic role, you will manage key indirect spend categories and develop sourcing strategies that drive value across cost, service, sustainability, and innovation. You will lead supplier negotiations, oversee critical service contracts, and collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure indirect procurement supports efficient operations across the organisation. The role offers meaningful autonomy and strong opportunities for professional development.
Your new role:
- Develop and deliver category strategies across key indirect spend areas (professional services, facilities, IT).
- Lead sourcing initiatives and RFx processes to secure best-value commercial agreements.
- Create, manage, and resolve service and supply contracts across their full lifecycle.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, ensuring performance, compliance, and risk mitigation.
- Partner with operational and functional stakeholders to understand demand, define requirements, and support continuity of services.
- Use data and analytics to drive decision making and maintain accurate supplier and category master data.
What you'll need to succeed:
- 5+ years’ experience in Indirect Procurement or Category Management.
- Strong background in sourcing, commercial negotiation, and supplier relationship management.
- Business, Supply Chain, or relevant professional qualification; CIPS desirable.
What you'll get in return:
- Circa 3-month contract position.
- Opportunity to go permanent.
- You will also have access to Hays worker discounts and benefits depending on your chosen payroll.
- Weekly timesheet processing for prompt payments.
- Inside IR35, PAYE or Umbrella payroll options are available.
Interim Category Manager Indirects in Devon employer: hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
As a leading manufacturing organisation, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work environment that encourages innovation and operational excellence. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through meaningful autonomy in roles like the Interim Category Manager for Indirects, where you can shape strategic sourcing initiatives while enjoying access to professional development opportunities and a supportive culture. Located in a vibrant area, we offer competitive benefits, including flexible payroll options and exclusive discounts, making us an attractive employer for those seeking a rewarding career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Category Manager Indirects in Devon
✨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 Interim Category Manager Indirects in Devon
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 hays-gcj-v4-pd-online 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, hays-gcj-v4-pd-online 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 hays-gcj-v4-pd-online 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 hays-gcj-v4-pd-online 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 hays-gcj-v4-pd-online
✨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.
