At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement transformation and drive commercial impact in a dynamic FTSE business.
- Company: Join MAB Group, a growing company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Up to £55,000 salary, 25 days leave, flexible hours, and great perks.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in procurement while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or category management; strong communication and analytical skills.
6 Month Fixed Term Contract
Hybrid - 3 days at our Derby office, 2 days working from home
Up to £55,000 plus benefits
About the role
Take ownership of transformation and deliver real commercial impact with a growing FTSE business.
We’re looking for an experienced Group Procurement Category Manager to join MAB Group on a 6‑month fixed-term contract. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in our procurement transformation.
You’ll be instrumental in supporting our Procurement and Supplier Risk Manager to implement a new Procurement system and embed a structured, scalable category management approach across supplier spend. With a focus on spend consolidation and total cost of ownership, you’ll help us unlock value, improve performance and drive smarter commercial decisions.
Working across MAB and its subsidiaries as part of MAB Group, you’ll thrive in an agile environment as part of a small team to build a stronger, more effective procurement function.
What you’ll be doing
- Support implementation of a new Group procurement system and consistent lifecycle controls
- Help embed procurement policies, governance frameworks, approval processes and reporting standards
- Identify opportunities for consolidation, standardisation and improved commercial leverage
- Apply total cost of ownership principles to support sustainable, data-driven decisions
- Support RFx activity to drive transparency, competition and value for money
- Contribute to negotiations to improve pricing, contractual terms and risk allocation
- Support delivery and tracking of cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives
- Provide pragmatic, commercially focused procurement support to stakeholders
- Build effective supplier relationships with clear performance and governance expectations
- Maintain accurate procurement records to support governance and audit requirements
- Ensure compliance with procurement policy, governance standards and ethical sourcing
About you
- Hands-on experience within procurement, strategic sourcing or category management
- Experience within transformation environments is highly desirable
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills – able to bring others with you
- Able to navigate an agile, evolving business environment - you're familiar with having to pivot to changes quickly
- Analytical and commercially astute, with experience using procurement systems
- A clear, confident communicator who thrives in fast-paced environments
- Pragmatic, solutions-focused and able to prioritise effectively
- CIPS qualification is desirable but not essential
- Experience implementing Procurement systems would be advantageous
Recruitment Process
1st stage: In-person interview with our hiring team
Please note we will prioritise suitable candidates with notice periods less than 3 months due to the urgent nature of this vacancy.
What’s In It For You?
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to 28 with service) plus your birthday off
- Matched pension contribution (L&G)
- Retail discounts, free entertainment tickets, plus much more!
- Flexible working hours with hybrid working for Head Office roles (as agreed with your line manager)
- A wide range of Learning & Development offers, from 121 coaching to qualification support, helping you to grow and thrive in your career
- A supportive, inclusive culture with forums you're welcome to join from day 1, using your voice to make MAB an even better place to work
Everyone is Welcome
At MAB, we value different experiences and perspectives which adds diversity and value to our culture. As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, included and heard for who they are. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us.
We are committed to reducing barriers in every stage of our recruitment process so everyone feels they can bring their best self when applying for new opportunities at MAB. If you’d like to hear how we can support you by adjusting our process, from application to interview and onboarding, please contact.
Please note we are unable to consider candidates requiring visa sponsorship at this moment in time. We won't be accepting speculative CVs from recruitment agencies, with a full PSL in place.
Group Procurement and Category Manager in Derby employer: Mortgage Advice Bureau
MAB Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, offering flexible hybrid working arrangements from our Derby office. With a strong focus on employee growth through extensive learning and development opportunities, we empower our team members to thrive in their careers while enjoying competitive benefits such as 25 days of annual leave and retail discounts. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions will drive meaningful transformation in procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Procurement and Category Manager in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research MAB Group, their values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversation during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their procurement transformation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your storytelling skills! Prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your hands-on procurement expertise and how you've navigated transformation environments. We want to hear how you’ve made a real impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of networking! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to gain insights about the company culture and the role. Plus, it might just give you an edge in the hiring process!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the team at MAB Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Procurement and Category Manager in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement and category management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you’ve made. Use specific examples of how you’ve driven cost savings or improved processes. We love seeing numbers and results that demonstrate your contributions!
Be Authentic:While it’s tempting to use AI tools for your application, we really want to hear your voice. Share your genuine experiences and insights, as this helps us get to know the real you. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mortgage Advice Bureau
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around category management and total cost of ownership. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in past roles, as this will show you're the right fit for their transformation goals.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your strong stakeholder management and influencing skills. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex relationships or driven change within an organisation, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Agile and Adaptable
Since the company thrives in an agile environment, be prepared to discuss how you've adapted to changes in previous roles. Share specific instances where you've pivoted quickly and effectively to meet new challenges.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. This role requires a clear communicator, so consider doing mock interviews with friends or family to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as both knowledgeable and approachable.
