At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement projects and categories, leading tenders and negotiating contracts.
- Company: Join KFM, part of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, making a real impact in healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant responsibility and the chance to innovate in procurement.
- Why this job: Build your career in procurement while contributing to the NHS and improving healthcare services.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management, strategic sourcing, and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Category Manager looking for an opportunity to take ownership of significant procurement activity and build your career within a growing, ambitious team? King’s Facilities Management (KFM) is looking for a Category Manager Corporate & Capital Procurement to join its procurement function, managing a delegated category portfolio and delivering procurement activity across a complex healthcare organisation. KFM is wholly owned by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and provides a range of specialist healthcare support services. All profits and cost savings generated by KFM are reinvested into the NHS.
The opportunity
As Category Manager, you will take responsibility for a delegated procurement category or portfolio with an influenceable annual expenditure of approximately GBP10 million to GBP20 million. Working closely with stakeholders, procurement colleagues, partners and suppliers, you will develop sourcing plans, lead competitive tenders, negotiate contracts and identify opportunities to improve value, efficiency and supplier performance. This is a varied category management and procurement role where you will be encouraged to understand your markets, challenge existing approaches and build strong relationships across KFM and its wider stakeholder community. You will provide commercial and contractual advice throughout the procurement lifecycle, from initial scoping and specification development through to tendering, contract award and ongoing contract management.
What you’ll be doing
- Managing a portfolio of corporate and capital procurement projects and categories
- Developing and delivering category plans and operational sourcing programmes
- Leading complex and high-value competitive tenders
- Managing procurement activity from initial scoping through to contract award
- Negotiating and drafting contracts to achieve cost optimisation and improved value
- Providing commercial and contractual advice to stakeholders
- Conducting market analysis and identifying new sourcing opportunities
- Building and developing strong supplier relationships
- Managing supplier performance, service levels and KPIs
- Supporting compliant procurement in line with relevant legislation, policies and governance
- Tracking procurement savings and wider commercial benefits
- Identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement
- Working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders across KFM and the Trust.
About you
We are looking for a commercially minded procurement professional with strong experience of category management, strategic sourcing, tendering and contract management. You should be able to demonstrate:
- Experience managing procurement categories and contracts
- A successful track record of delivering procurement savings and cost reductions
- Experience of complex competitive tenders and high-value procurement projects
- Strong commercial and contract negotiation skills
- Experience of supplier relationship and supplier performance management
- The ability to undertake market analysis and identify opportunities for improved value
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Good commercial awareness and financial understanding
- Strong project management, analytical and communication skills
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience
- MCIPS or equivalent procurement experience
Experience within corporate procurement, capital procurement, public-sector procurement or another complex regulated environment would be particularly relevant. KFM is looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, can manage competing priorities and is confident taking responsibility for procurement activity from initial requirement through to contract management.
Why join KFM?
This is an opportunity to build your procurement career within an organisation offering both commercial challenge and a strong sense of purpose. You will have the opportunity to manage significant categories, work with senior stakeholders and suppliers, contribute ideas and continue developing your expertise across procurement, category management, strategic sourcing and contract management.
Salary is GBP57,950 - GBP63,200, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus of up to 12%. Applications close at 11:59pm on 5 September 2026.
Category Manager employer: Insight Executive Group
As a local authority in Bedfordshire, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that values our employees' contributions to the community. Our work culture is centred around customer focus, equality, and diversity, providing a supportive environment where you can thrive professionally. With opportunities for growth within the planned works team and a commitment to maintaining high standards in housing services, we offer a meaningful role that directly impacts the lives of residents while enjoying the benefits of hybrid working.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Insight Executive Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Insight Executive Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Insight Executive Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Insight Executive Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Insight Executive Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Insight Executive Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Insight Executive Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Insight Executive Group's culture.
