Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement activities and drive innovative change for public transport projects.
- Company: Join Nexus, a forward-thinking organisation transforming public transport in Tyne and Wear.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, generous pension, free travel, and discounts on groceries and holidays.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on community transport while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Degree or 2+ years in procurement; Level 4 qualification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
Nexus has an ambitious programme of projects to improve public transport across Tyne and Wear, from our annual ÂŁ50m asset renewal programme, strategic projects to extend the network and replace our aging signalling system through to customer enhancements for bus, ferry and our ticketing offers. Effective and agile procurement is fundamental to the success of these projects and our wider business and delivering great outcomes for the communities we serve.
Nexus Procurement function is undergoing a transformation and we have a great opportunity for two new Procurement Category Managers within the function. We are seeking dynamic proactive and experienced procurement professionals. This is a unique opportunity to join the function in delivering the new Target Operating Model and progression of the Procurement Maturity Model. You will be part of a team delivering strategic procurement change, focusing on agile, pragmatic and proportional procurement for all goods and services delivering value for money. You will be focused on being part of a change to build capability, capacity and credibility, minimise risk and ensure a high-quality delivery for internal and external customers.
Typical Day
- Leading end-to-end procurement activity for your category, from developing sourcing strategies through to tendering, negotiation, contract award and contract management.
- Meeting with internal customers and stakeholders to understand requirements, provide commercial advice and shape procurement approaches that deliver value for money.
- Coaching and supporting Procurement Category Specialists, reviewing their work, setting objectives and helping them develop pragmatic, innovative approaches.
- Analysing supplier markets, spend data and performance information to identify opportunities for savings, innovation, consolidation and improved commercial outcomes.
- Engaging with suppliers and wider industry partners to explore new commercial models, strengthen relationships and drive continuous improvement.
- Preparing procurement strategies, dashboards and executive updates, highlighting progress, risks, constraints and opportunities for enhanced value.
- Overseeing procurement activity for complex contract renewals, extensions or terminations, ensuring compliance and effective outcomes.
- Applying category‑management methodologies to drive improvements in supply performance, cost, quality, innovation and risk.
- Ensuring all procurement activity complies with Public Procurement Law and Regulations, escalating any conflicts or risks as needed.
- Collaborating with project managers and programme teams to align procurement activity with organisational project‑management and assurance frameworks.
- Reviewing, drafting and managing procurement documentation, including contracts, agreements and supporting materials.
About You
- You will be educated to degree level in a relevant subject area, or have at least 2 years’ experience in a relevant Procurement role.
- You will hold a relevant Procurement Professional Qualification at Level 4 or above.
- You will have in-depth knowledge and experience of delivering procurement within key categories such as Engineering, Construction, Estates & Facilities Management, Professional Services, IT & Digital, Utilities, raw materials or infrastructure support services.
- You will have a strong understanding of procurement best practice, category‑management principles and value‑for‑money methodologies.
- You will have awareness of current public procurement legislation and regulations.
- You will understand contract‑management principles, whole‑life costing, costing models and commercial evaluation approaches.
- You will be able to influence, negotiate and build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare senior‑level reports, business cases and Senior Leadership Team papers.
- You will have excellent organisational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritise your own workload and that of direct reports.
- You will have experience completing procurement processes, contracts, agreements and framework call‑offs, ideally using NEC or JCT.
- You will have experience constructing or contributing to complex commercial terms and conditions and supporting documentation, including framework awards, schedules and annexes.
- You will have experience delivering end‑to‑end sourcing strategies and routes to market.
Who we are looking for
You must be passionate about engaging with stakeholders and have a flair for building excellent working relationships and communicating effectively. As a manager within Nexus, you will foster inclusion, respect others and work towards team goals through collaboration and agility.
What we offer
- This is a Monday to Friday job. You’ll work a 36‑hour week.
- You’ll be part of a generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme).
- 28 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays and time off for volunteering too.
- Enjoy travelling for free in Tyne and Wear with our enhanced travel benefits for you and your family.
- Free or discounted travel with Grand Central, LNER, Lumo, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express.
- You will have the opportunity to contribute to a health cash plan that will contribute (and dependants if you have them) towards dental costs, optical, and lots more.
- Access to our reward app with over 1000 plus high street discounts on groceries, holidays and days out.
- We like to grow our own colleagues (not literally of course!), so when you’re ready for the next step in your career, we can help develop you.
Procurement Category Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: North East Ambition
Contact Detail:
North East Ambition Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the procurement field. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Nexus and its procurement strategies. Understand their projects and how your skills can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show how you can add value and drive improvements in their procurement processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence and refine your approach before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Nexus and being part of their exciting transformation in procurement.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement, especially in categories like Engineering or IT. We want to see how your skills align with our ambitious projects!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve delivered value for money or improved procurement processes. We love seeing tangible results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
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 your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Ambition
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on procurement best practices and category management principles. Nexus is looking for someone who can demonstrate in-depth knowledge of procurement within key categories, so be ready to discuss your experience and how it aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Since building relationships is key, prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past. Think about times when you influenced decisions or negotiated effectively, as this will highlight your ability to communicate and collaborate.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific procurement challenges. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios related to contract management, compliance, and risk minimisation. This will show that you're proactive and can think on your feet.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Nexus values data-driven decision-making, so be prepared to discuss how you've analysed supplier markets and performance data in the past. Bring examples of how your analysis led to savings or improved outcomes, as this will showcase your strategic thinking.