Senior Category Manager - Property in Glasgow

Senior Category Manager - Property in Glasgow

Glasgow Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Places for People

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and shape category management for a thriving community.
  • Company: Join Places for People, the UK's leading social enterprise dedicated to community spirit.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, pension contributions, and exciting perks.
  • Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that values people and community.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement, category management, and strategic sourcing.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! If you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for! Experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees. So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!

More about the role

We're looking for an experienced Senior Category Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategic procurement across the organisation. Leading complex, high value categories, you'll drive value, manage risk, and ensure strong commercial outcomes that support our long term strategic objectives. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you'll develop and implement category strategies, lead major sourcing initiatives, and design robust commercial and contractual arrangements that enable effective supplier and contract management throughout the lifecycle.

The role is working in our Armitage, South Rings Office in Preston 1-2 days a week.

More about you

You're an experienced procurement professional with strong expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, and the design of effective commercial and contractual models. With proven commercial acumen and the ability to engage senior stakeholders, you deliver value, manage risk, and drive sustainable outcomes across complex categories.

The Essential criteria for this role is listed below:

  • Significant procurement experience in a public sector environment with strong expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, and commercial strategy development, including the design of robust commercial and contractual models (KPIs, SLAs, performance frameworks, payment mechanisms, risk allocation, indexation, social value requirements, and outcome based specifications) to enable effective post contract management.
  • Experience in providing strategic commercial advice to senior stakeholders, influencing requirements, challenging demand, supporting options appraisals (make/buy, insource/outsource, standardisation), and improving compliance to preferred routes and policies.
  • Proven leadership experience, including coaching and developing teams and driving high performance.

The benefits

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

  • Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly.
  • Pension with matched contributions up to 7%.
  • Excellent holiday package - up to 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave.
  • Cashback plan for healthcare costs - up to £500 saving per year.
  • A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%.
  • Training and development.
  • Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.

What's next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team.

We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours.

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls.

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect. We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment. By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities.

Senior Category Manager - Property in Glasgow employer: Places for People

At Places for People, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive employer that values the well-being and growth of our employees. Located in Preston, our Armitage office fosters a collaborative work culture where you can thrive professionally while contributing to meaningful community initiatives. With a comprehensive benefits package, opportunities for training and development, and a commitment to flexibility, we ensure that our team members feel valued and empowered to make a difference.

Places for People

Contact Details:

Places for People Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager - Property in Glasgow

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 Places for People.

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 Senior Category Manager - Property in Glasgow

Category Management
Strategic Sourcing
Commercial Strategy Development
Contractual Model Design
Stakeholder Engagement
Risk Management
Procurement Experience in Public Sector

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 Places for People:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Places for People. 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 Places for People.

How to prepare for a job interview at Places for People

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 Places for People!

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 Places for People. 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 Places for People's culture.