At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category management and drive cost optimisation while building strong supplier partnerships.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at MAB, committed to inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, 25 days leave, flexible hours, and extensive learning opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive culture that values diverse perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement and shape the future of our organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management, strong negotiation skills, and a customer-first mindset.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
Hybrid between our Derby office and working from home. Up to £55k plus benefits.
About The Role
We’re looking for a commercially driven Group Category Manager to join our team and help shape the future of procurement across the Group. In this role, you’ll take ownership of end-to-end category management, delivering real commercial value and building strong, strategic supplier partnerships. You’ll play a key role in strengthening supplier governance, driving cost optimisation and supporting the continued evolution of our procurement function. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you’ll ensure procurement delivers sustainable, customer-first outcomes that balance cost, quality and risk.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Take ownership of developing and delivering category strategies that drive cost optimisation, value creation, and long‑term resilience.
- Lead end-to-end sourcing and tendering activity (RFP/RFQ/RFI), negotiating contracts that maximise value and reduce total cost of ownership.
- Build and manage stronger supplier relationships, including performance reviews, governance and continuous improvement plans.
- Partner closely with stakeholders to provide pragmatic commercial guidance, supporting better decision‑making across the group.
- Analyse spend and market trends to identify opportunities for efficiency, innovation and savings.
- Ensure procurement activity aligns with governance, compliance and third‑party risk management frameworks.
- Maintain accurate reporting and documentation to support transparency and audit requirements.
About You
You’re a confident, solutions‑focused procurement professional who thrives in a collaborative and evolving environment.
You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in category management and strategic sourcing.
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
- The ability to influence and build relationships across a range of stakeholders.
- A customer‑first mindset, balancing business needs with commercial outcomes.
- Strong analytical capability with experience using procurement tools/systems.
- A proactive approach, with the confidence to embrace change and drive improvements.
Recruitment Process
- 1st stage: MS Teams interview with the hiring team.
- 2nd stage: In‑person interview at our Derby office with the hiring team.
What’s In It For You?
- Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), 25 days annual leave (increasing to 28 with service) plus your birthday off, matched pension contribution (L&G), share save scheme (Equinity), 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 careers@mab.org.uk.
Use of AI
We recognise that AI tools can be a helpful way to articulate your qualities, skills and experience when applying for roles. It’s important to us, however, that we see the real you throughout the recruitment process. We hire real people, not polished personas! We simply ask that you consider carefully how and where you use AI during your application, so we can hear your own thoughts and meet your authentic self.
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.
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