At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and purchasing programmes for safer buildings.
- Company: Metropolitan Thames Valley, a leader in affordable housing and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a mission-driven team focused on community empowerment and procurement excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of housing while ensuring compliance and value for money.
- Qualifications: Senior management experience in purchasing, ideally within the housing sector.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
As Category Manager for Development and Safer Buildings, you will develop and lead strategic sourcing and purchasing programmes, taking the commercial lead to contribute significantly to the delivery of allocated procurement projects. Reporting to the Head of Commercial Procurement, you will be responsible for identifying and working to exceed internal and external customer expectations by delivering demonstrable value for money from your category, creating innovative and robust approaches to getting the best from our suppliers and upholding compliance to all relevant regulations and legislation, including our internal financial procedures.
You will support the organization in achieving procurement excellence, enable a flexible commercial approach to project management, and adopt a Category Management approach to continually monitor and report detailed expenditure, supplier performance, and service levels.
Company Metropolitan Thames Valley provides affordable housing for people living in London, the South East, East Midlands, and East of England. We also offer a range of care and support services with specialist areas, including older people, mental health, and transitional services. Our missions include training programmes, events and activities for residents to boost employment opportunities and foster stronger communities.
Key Responsibilities
- You will keep abreast of and ensure compliance with internal financial procedures, relevant legislation, and regulatory procurement compliance.
- Support a compliant balance of a flexible and commercial approach to project management.
- Actively manage the marketplace by developing supplier and contract management strategies.
Qualifications
- Relevant and specialist commercial/industry experience in purchasing and supply in a senior management role, ideally with experience in the housing sector.
- Experience in understanding and applying strategic sourcing methodologies.
- Robust procurement knowledge, including advanced negotiation skills, supply chain theory, contract law, dispute resolution, and statistical and data analysis.
- Knowledge of market areas related to specific work categories, finance and leasing knowledge, business development, marketing plans, and accounting.
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or a relevant professional institute, or equivalent experience, and a degree-level qualification.
Category Manager - Development and Safer Buildings in City of Westminster employer: Metropolitan Thames Valley
Metropolitan Thames Valley is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and community impact. As a Category Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages innovation and compliance while contributing to meaningful projects in affordable housing and care services across London and the South East. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on fostering stronger communities, this role provides a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in people's lives.
Contact Details:
Metropolitan Thames Valley Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Development and Safer Buildings in City of Westminster
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Metropolitan Thames Valley.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Development and Safer Buildings in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Metropolitan Thames Valley:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Metropolitan Thames Valley. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Metropolitan Thames Valley.
How to prepare for a job interview at Metropolitan Thames Valley
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Metropolitan Thames Valley!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Metropolitan Thames Valley. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Metropolitan Thames Valley's culture.
