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- Tasks: Lead major sourcing projects and shape the future of category management.
- Company: Join a growing procurement function in a dynamic environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Opportunity to manage complex projects and develop your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on strategic programmes and drive supplier accountability.
- Qualifications: Experience in professional services procurement and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
A fantastic opportunity for a Professional Services Category Manager to join a growing procurement function and play a key role in delivering major strategic programmes. This role focuses on strategic sourcing, working on complex, multi-million-pound projects and shaping the future of category management across the category.
Responsibilities:
- Manage significant professional services sourcing projects, ensuring effective planning, coordination and execution across the full procurement lifecycle.
- Conduct meaningful market insight and supplier engagement activities to understand capability, innovation and pricing models, to shape requirements and build strong sourcing strategies that deliver best value.
- Play a key role in negotiating commercial terms, pricing and risk allocation to achieve balanced and competitive contract outcomes.
- Assist in shaping contract frameworks and performance mechanisms that drive supplier accountability and measurable service delivery.
To be considered:
- Procurement Manager / Category Manager with deep professional services category experience.
- Proven record of successfully delivering complex end-to-end sourcing projects.
- Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to juggle multiple projects with excellent organisational discipline.
On offer:
~£70,000 - £77,000 plus bonus
~ Hybrid: 2 days / week in their Manchester office
Category Manager - Public Sector in Manchester employer: JSS
Contact Detail:
JSS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Public Sector in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the procurement field, especially those who work in the public sector. Use LinkedIn to connect and engage with them; you never know who might have a lead on your dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing complex sourcing projects and negotiating contracts.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your organisational skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously. This will demonstrate your ability to juggle tasks effectively, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you ace your application and land that Category Manager position. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Public Sector in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing professional services sourcing projects and any relevant achievements that showcase your negotiation skills and stakeholder management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects you've worked on that relate to strategic sourcing and how you’ve delivered value in previous positions.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your organisational discipline and ability to juggle multiple projects. We want to see how you manage your time and resources effectively, especially in complex, multi-million-pound projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at JSS
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the public sector and professional services categories. Understand current trends, key players, and challenges in the market. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to describe how you've handled complex sourcing projects in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you clearly articulate your experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of successful negotiations you've led. Highlight your approach to achieving balanced contract outcomes and how you manage stakeholder expectations. This is crucial for a role focused on commercial terms and risk allocation.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Discipline
Since juggling multiple projects is key in this role, prepare to talk about your organisational strategies. Share tools or methods you use to keep track of various projects and ensure timely delivery. This will reassure them of your ability to manage complexity effectively.