Category Specialist

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Are you an experienced Category Specialist or Procurement professional that can help us make a difference?

We’re looking for a motivated and forward-thinking Category Specialist to join our growing Procurement team on a 2-year fixed term contract.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to be part of a dynamic team where your expertise will support the delivery of efficient, compliant, and commercially sound procurement across a wide range of goods, works, and services. You’ll be working in a collaborative and supportive environment, developing your skills while contributing to meaningful projects that help us build better lives, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.

What You’ll Be Doing:

As a Category Specialist, you’ll work closely with our Category Managers to support the delivery of end-to-end procurement projects. You will:

• Prepare tender documentation and evaluate supplier responses
• Maintain accurate procurement records and support contract set-up and mobilisation
• Contribute to the execution of category strategies aligned with commercial and regulatory goals
• Provide advice and support to colleagues across the business
• Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2024, our internal governance, and Financial Regulations
• Use procurement systems like Proactis to streamline processes and enhance visibility
• Support continuous improvement in procurement practice, system use, and supplier engagement

Why Join Us?

This role gives you exposure to a wide range of categories and stakeholders, making it ideal for building your procurement expertise in a large, purpose-driven organisation.

Some of the things we are looking for:

• Evidence of relevant professional development or training in procurement, contract management, or commercial disciplines
• Experience supporting procurement or contract management within a public sector or regulated environment
• Familiarity with tendering procedures and documentation preparation
• Experience engaging with stakeholders to gather requirements or manage supplier interactions
• Experience maintaining accurate records, reports, or contract data in systems
• Understanding of or exposure to the Procurement Act 2024 or previous public procurement legislation (e.g. PCR 2015) is considered desirable

While this role offers the flexibility of being home-based, occasional travel to Group offices and other locations, including Birmingham Business Park Solihull and Central Park, Worcester, is required.

Some of the great benefits we can offer you:

• Up to 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with the opportunity to buy and sell leave
• Family friendly policiesincluding generous Paternity, Maternity, Shared Parental and Adoption leave plus 3 days paid Urgent Domestic Leave
• Medicash membership for all employees which includes access to an employee assistanceprogramme, discounted gym membership and exclusive discounts
• Health Cash Plan worth up to £1700 p/a with cashback for dental, optical, physio and complementary therapiesand more
• Pension scheme with minimum employee contributions of up to 3% and Platform will contribute up to 12% (inclusive of life assurance and dependent on employee contributions)
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
• Employee reward and recognition scheme with wellbeing hub and discount from a wide range of retailers

How to apply:

If you\’re looking for a role where your skills are valued, your voice is heard, and your work makes a real impact, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to help shape the future of procurement in a collaborative, forward-thinking team that’s driving positive change.

Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your journey with us—just upload your current CV and follow the online application process.

For more details about this position, please refer to the attached job description. If you’d like further information about the role, please email Richard Orders (Senior Category Manager:

Interviews:

We aim to hold first-stage virtual interviews for this opportunity and will contact shortlisted candidates to arrange a convenient time.

We encourage early applications, as we may close the advert ahead of the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of interest.

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