Category Manager in England

Category Manager in England

England Full-Time 48100 - 53200 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage a category with a £10-£20 million spend, leading sourcing initiatives and supplier relationships.
  • Company: Join KFM, a healthcare support service provider dedicated to world-class patient care.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, 27 days leave, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Supportive culture with a commitment to work-life balance and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Extensive procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and advanced Microsoft Office proficiency.

The predicted salary is between 48100 - 53200 £ per year.

Join to apply for the Category Manager role at KFM. This range is provided by KFM. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range: £56,100 - £63,200 per annum + up to 12% annual bonus

Job Type: 9 - 12 month maternity cover

Role Overview

As a Category Manager at KFM, you will manage a delegated category within a portfolio with an influenceable annual spend of £10-£20 million. You will lead strategic sourcing initiatives, forge robust supplier relationships, negotiate high-value contracts, and deliver substantial cost savings aligned with our performance improvement goals.

Key Responsibilities

  • Category & Supplier Management: Develop category work plans, execute operational sourcing programs, and ensure all contracts are fully compliant and catalogued.
  • Strategic Procurement: Lead tender processes, providing expert guidance on commercial and contractual issues.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary contact for your categories, fostering a proactive client service approach.
  • Cost Optimization: Drive savings targets through rigorous contract negotiation and management, aligning with cost improvement programs.
  • Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Introduce and implement innovative sourcing solutions to enhance value and efficiency.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Procurement Expertise: Extensive experience in category and contract management, UK Public Procurement, and competitive tenders.
  • Contract Negotiation: Proven success in negotiating large-scale contracts and achieving cost savings.
  • Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Technical Proficiency: Advanced Microsoft Office skills, with a particular emphasis on Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Why Join Us?

At KFM, we value excellence, collaboration, and innovation. You’ll work in a dynamic environment where your contributions directly support our mission to deliver world-class healthcare solutions. In addition, KFM offers a supportive culture, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to work-life balance.

Benefits

  • Welcome Bonus
  • Annual Bonus Scheme
  • 27 days annual leave (+BH)
  • Annual leave purchase scheme
  • AVIVA Pension
  • Group Life Assurance Policy
  • Enhanced Family Leave & Pay
  • CPD Funding & Study Leave
  • Paid Professional Registration Fees
  • Occupational Sick Pay
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Season Ticket Loan Scheme
  • Car Lease Scheme
  • Cyclescheme
  • Techscheme

Apply Now

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by the deadline. For more information on KFM and our mission, please visit our website.

Closing Date: 11th Jan 2026 at midnight

Interview Dates: 26th & 27th January

About KFM

KFM is a provider of healthcare support services and our purpose is to partner with and support healthcare providers in providing world-class patient care, with all profits and cost savings reinvested in the NHS. KFM provides a fully managed service across all clinical areas which includes providing all required clinical supplies and equipment along with maintenance, training and technical support, endoscopy decontamination, sterile services, renal dialysis support, radiology IT support and outpatient pharmacy. KFM also runs a procurement and contract management service for all departments.

KFM is a Limited Liability Partnership owned by King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust with no private sector partners. KFM is a public authority, not a private company. KFM has an annual turnover of around £185 million and over 350 staff.

Category Manager in England employer: KFM

KFM is an exceptional employer located in Denmark Hill, London, offering a dynamic work environment where excellence, collaboration, and innovation are at the forefront. Employees benefit from a supportive culture, extensive professional growth opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous annual leave, a bonus scheme, and enhanced family leave. Joining KFM means contributing to world-class healthcare solutions while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
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Contact Detail:

KFM Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager in England

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at KFM or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about the role and even a referral!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching KFM's values and recent projects. We want to see how you can align your skills with their mission. Show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their work!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively. Role-play scenarios with a friend to build confidence and refine your approach.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the KFM team. Let’s get you that interview!

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in England

Category Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Strategic Sourcing
Contract Negotiation
Cost Savings
Procurement Expertise
UK Public Procurement
Tender Processes
Stakeholder Engagement
Communication Skills
Microsoft Office Proficiency
Operational Sourcing
Innovation in Sourcing
Client Service Approach

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your procurement expertise and any relevant experience in category and contract management. We want to see how your skills align with what KFM is looking for!

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 and how you can contribute to KFM's mission. Keep it engaging and professional, but let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements, especially in contract negotiation and cost savings. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, do it! It shows you mean business.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about KFM and our values right there.

How to prepare for a job interview at KFM

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Category Manager, you'll be dealing with significant budgets. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've managed similar spend in the past. Prepare specific examples of cost savings you've achieved through strategic sourcing.

✨Master the Art of Negotiation

Negotiating high-value contracts is key in this role. Think about your negotiation strategies and be prepared to share successful outcomes. You might even want to role-play some scenarios with a friend to sharpen your skills before the interview.

✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively

Communication is crucial for a Category Manager. Be ready to discuss how you've engaged stakeholders in previous roles. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your ability to influence and build relationships across different levels of an organisation.

✨Showcase Your Innovation

KFM values innovation and continuous improvement. Think of examples where you've introduced new sourcing solutions or improved processes. Highlighting your creative problem-solving skills will set you apart from other candidates.

Category Manager in England
KFM
Location: England
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