At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and manage supplier performance in a dynamic defence environment.
- Company: Join a leading Defence and technology organisation with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay of up to £700 p/day and exposure to senior stakeholders.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in major transformation initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical programmes while shaping procurement strategies.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Category Management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
A leading Defence and technology organisation are seeking an experienced Category Manager (Engineering Services & Materials) to join their growing Procurement & Supply Chain function.
An exciting opportunity for an SC cleared professional to take ownership of a diverse portfolio of Engineering Services and Materials spend, supporting critical programmes across a highly innovative and fast-paced business. Working within a strategic category management team, you will help shape sourcing strategies, drive supplier performance, manage commercial risk and deliver tangible value across a spend area worth approximately £100m.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement category strategies across Engineering Services and Materials.
- Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including tender design, supplier selection and contract negotiation.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders to understand requirements and influence procurement decisions.
- Deliver commercial value through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities across key strategic suppliers.
- Manage supplier and category risks, including supply chain resilience, sustainability and information security considerations.
- Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to drive innovation and best practice.
- Support procurement transformation projects, including Source-to-Pay process improvements and systems development.
This role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders, the opportunity to influence business planning and involvement in major transformation initiatives across procurement technology and processes.
Key Requirements:
- Active SC clearance.
- Proven experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing or Procurement.
- Experience managing engineering, manufacturing, technical or industrial categories.
- Strong contract negotiation and supplier management capability.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and business partnering skills.
- Commercially minded with the ability to balance cost, risk and operational requirements.
- Experience leading competitive tender processes and delivering measurable value.
- Defence, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Engineering or Industrial sectors.
- Experience with SAP Ariba, Oracle Fusion or other Source-to-Pay systems.
- Knowledge of supplier risk management and procurement governance frameworks.
If you're an experienced Category Manager, happy to commute 3 days to Farnborough and looking for an impactful role, apply now!
Category Manager in Farnborough employer: Matchtech Careers
As a Business Reporting Analyst with our client, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. The company offers excellent employee growth opportunities through continuous training and development, alongside competitive benefits that support work-life balance. Located in a vibrant area, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on business decisions but also provides a supportive environment where your contributions are recognised and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Farnborough
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Matchtech Careers that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Matchtech Careers can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Matchtech Careers that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Matchtech Careers know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Matchtech Careers
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
