Category Lead in Manchester

Location: Hybrid to Peterborough or Manchester (2-3 days per week)

We are seeking commercially minded Category Leads, who will either manage our IT and Technology categories or manage a diverse portfolio of indirect categories.

The roles ensures that procurement activity delivers commercial value, supports operational objectives, mitigates risk, and enables business growth and transformation. You will work closely with stakeholders across the organisation to drive cost optimisation, supplier performance, innovation, and sustainable value creation.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end procurement lifecycle across a broad portfolio of indirect or technology categories, managing significant annual spend.
• Develop and implement category strategies that deliver cost savings, value creation, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead competitive sourcing events, supplier selection processes, contract negotiations, and renewals to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.
• Build strong partnerships with business stakeholders to understand strategic priorities and align procurement activities with organisational objectives.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships, ensuring high levels of service, performance, innovation, and value delivery.
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) with key suppliers.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, demand management, process optimisation, and cost efficiency.
• Partner with internal functions including Technology, Digital, Finance, Legal, HR, Facilities, and Operations to support business initiatives and transformation programmes.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with organisational policies, regulatory requirements, data security standards, and risk management frameworks.
• Support the adoption and optimisation of procurement systems, digital tools, and automation to improve efficiency, governance, and spend visibility.
• Monitor market trends, supplier performance, and industry developments to identify opportunities and mitigate potential risks.

Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Procurement experience within IT/Technology categories or across indirect categories.
• Strong understanding of category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, and procurement best practices.
• Demonstrated success in delivering cost optimisation, commercial benefits, and supplier value creation.
• Strong negotiation, commercial, and contract management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management across technical and non-technical teams.
• Data-driven mindset with focus on continuous improvement and innovation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience in complex or regulated environments advantageous.
• Professional certification (CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent) preferred.

What we offer in return?

• A collaborative and fast paced work environment
• Private medical insurance
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and the ability to buy additional leave (annual leave also increases with service)
• Life Assurance 4x annual salary
• Vibrant, modern offices

About the business:

Markerstudy is a leading provider of private insurance in the UK, insuring around 5% of the private cars on the UK roads, 20% of commercial vehicles and over 30% of motorcycles in total premium levels of circa £1.2b. Markerstudy also has a large and growing direct presence in the market as well.

Having acquired and successfully integrated Co-op Insurance Services in 2021, BGLi in 2022 & Atlanta in 2024.