At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and implement category strategies to drive value and manage risks.
- Company: Join a dynamic, forward-thinking procurement team during an exciting investment phase.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, performance pay, and a robust pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working in Reading with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping category strategies and driving continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex supply chains and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 65000 £ per year.
The Category Manager role involves developing and implementing category strategies over short, medium and long-term horizons to deliver measurable value while managing commercial risks. This position requires providing market insights, leading sourcing activities, and being the commercial expert who can adapt to market dynamics to achieve optimal outcomes. Additionally, the role oversees supplier performance and relationships, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
This is a chance to grow with a dynamic, forward-thinking procurement team during an exciting period of investment.
Your Responsibilities as a Category Manager:- Proactively engage with internal stakeholders to shape category strategies, addressing business needs, spend, and supplier engagement.
- Act as the procurement and commercial expert for the category, leveraging market insights and a deep understanding of supply dynamics, regulatory frameworks, suppliers, and technical innovations.
- Identify and prioritise a sourcing pipeline as part of category planning.
- Lead category projects and sourcing events, adhering to established frameworks and approaches.
- Negotiate with suppliers on commercial and contractual matters, determining acceptable levels of contractual risk and supply resilience.
- Review supplier opportunities to foster innovation and continuous improvement.
- Maintain accurate and secure records in line with required information system standards.
- Provide timely and accurate reporting on sourcing projects through available reporting tools.
- Knowledge and experience in managing complex supply chain environments.
- Ability to challenge industry norms and identify opportunities for sustained performance improvements.
- Proven track record in driving continuous improvement and achieving ambitious targets.
- Strong understanding of pre- and post-deal processes and how process improvements can drive organisational value.
- Hands-on experience managing key supplier relationships.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data effectively.
- Expertise in risk management on a holistic level.
- Capability in handling categories valued up to £100m.
- Competitive salary.
- Annual Leave: 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 days with length of service, plus bank holidays.
- Performance-related pay plan linked to company performance metrics.
- Generous Pension Scheme.
- Access to a variety of benefits to support your health, wellbeing, and financial stability. This includes annual health checks, physiotherapy access, counselling services, Cycle to Work schemes, shopping discounts, and life assurance.
- Salary: £45,000 - £65,000.
- Location - Reading (hybrid).
Category Manager in Reading employer: Investigo
Join a dynamic and forward-thinking procurement team in Reading, where as a Category Manager, you will have the opportunity to shape category strategies and drive continuous improvement. With a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health and wellbeing, this role offers not just a job, but a pathway for professional growth and meaningful contributions within a collaborative work culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Category Manager role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around managing supplier relationships and driving continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've used data to make decisions or improve processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to handle complex supply chain environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our dynamic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing complex supply chains and any achievements that showcase your ability to drive continuous improvement. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in procurement and how your insights can help us adapt to market dynamics.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since strong analytical skills are key for this position, make sure to include examples of how you've effectively interpreted data in past roles. We love seeing how you’ve used data to drive decisions and improve supplier relationships!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Investigo
✨Know Your Market Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into market insights relevant to the category you're applying for. Understand the current trends, key players, and potential challenges. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your proactive approach to staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Sourcing Successes
Prepare specific examples of successful sourcing projects you've led in the past. Highlight how you identified opportunities, negotiated with suppliers, and achieved measurable outcomes. This will illustrate your hands-on experience and ability to drive results.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you've effectively engaged with internal stakeholders in previous roles. Share strategies you've used to align category strategies with business needs, as this is crucial for the role. It shows that you can collaborate and communicate effectively.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decision-making. Bring examples of how you've interpreted data to drive continuous improvement and manage risks. This will highlight your capability in handling complex supply chain environments.
