Assistant Category Manager (6-month FTC)

The Role

You will join Nomia as a motivated, relationship-driven professional, playing a key role in building and nurturing strong, productive partnerships with our valued suppliers. As a self-starter, you’ll thrive in a fast-moving procure-tech environment and be excited to contribute to Nomia’s growth journey.

As an Assistant Category Manager, you will work closely with the Nomia Category Team and our customers’ business stakeholders to identify, qualify, and deliver savings opportunities. You will build and maintain trusted relationships with our selected suppliers, meeting with them regularly to develop effective, collaborative partnerships.

You will support the delivery of category strategies for Nomia and our customers, working closely with key stakeholders to develop a deep understanding of their environments and requirements. By curating and sharing strategic insights, you will help strengthen procurement activities across the organisation, enabling our teams to buy better, faster, and smarter.

Responsibilities

• Support the Category Manager and Director, contributing to the delivery of team and business objectives
• Develop and implement category strategies that deliver value for Nomia and our customers
• Manage sourcing activity, including innovative and transformational projects across the spend base
• Develop and embed supplier relationship management approaches that support business performance and cost-reduction targets
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives aligned to category strategies, securing best-value commercial agreements
• Ensure compliance with Nomia tools and processes, while helping to develop best-in-class procurement practices that increase adoption and deliver value for Nomia and our customers
• Apply a strong understanding of commercial contracts, negotiating favourable outcomes for Nomia while minimising risk
• Develop and maintain effective contract management processes to maximise value through contract utilisation, compliance, and performance tracking
• Provide insight through analysis of spend, contract performance, supply markets, and savings opportunities
• Offer specialist advice and guidance on procurement best practice to internal stakeholders and customers
• Build, manage, and influence stakeholder relationships at all levels, maintaining professionalism and integrity in customer interactions
• Identify, assess, and help manage sourcing and contract-related risks within assigned categories of spend
• Source products and services, responding to customer requests for quotation within agreed SLAs
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery timelines to achieve targets and increase customer savings
• Evaluate supplier performance across cost, quality, and delivery metrics
• Onboard new suppliers and ensure supplier records are accurate and kept up to date
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships through clear, effective communication
• Prepare and implement appropriate contractual agreements, engaging legal counsel and senior stakeholders where required
• Understand customer needs and respond promptly, staying informed on market developments that may impact supply and demand
• Participate in meetings and share updates, insights, and best practice to support consistent ways of working
• Contribute ideas and initiatives that improve operational efficiency, add value, and support a culture of continuous improvement

Qualifications/Skills

• At least 2 years’ experience in category management, with a demonstrable track record of successful procurement outcomes
• Experience within a relevant industry across roles such as sourcing, buying, or supply chain management
• A relevant professional qualification and/or professional body membership (ideally CIPS Level 6 or currently working towards it)
• A highly commercial, analytical, and innovative approach to problem-solving
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Proven experience in supplier, account, or vendor relationship management within a procurement or commercial environment
• A solid understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and performance metrics, including KPIs and SLAs

General Information

• Adhere to Nomia’s data protection and information security policies at all times.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in line with Nomia’s core values.
• This is a hybrid role, with three office days per week required, potentially more during training or as requested by your supervisor.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in systems and processes.
• Please note that this role description is a guideline, and duties may evolve over time.