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- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing for HR & Recruitment, ensuring value and efficiency.
- Company: Join Bupa, a health-focused company dedicated to making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in health services while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong category management experience and excellent negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Overview
FTC 12 months
Location: Salford Quays (M50 3SP), Leeds (LS5 3BF) or London (EC2R 7HJ)
Time: Full time (37.5 hours) • Hybrid working (1 day per week in the office)
Salary: from £56,000 per annum DOE plus fantastic Bupa benefits
Advert closes: Monday 16th February 2026
We make health happen
At Bupa, our purpose is simple: help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and make a better world. In this Category Manager (HR & Recruitment) role, you will turn that purpose into practical impact by making sure we buy the right products and services, from the right partners, at the right value.
Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end strategy for your category: build and deliver a clear plan with a savings/opportunity pipeline aligned to Bupa's goals.
- Select, qualify and manage key suppliers using modern relationship management approaches; set measures that track performance and improvement.
- Run sourcing projects with clear timelines; negotiate contracts and develop negotiation plans that secure value and reduce risk.
- Develop and manage a category risk plan to protect supply and service continuity.
- Act as Procurement lead on Category Board projects; work closely with senior stakeholders across UK and other Market Units to align with global strategies.
- Coach Category Specialists, share expertise and champion best practice processes and tools across Bupa.
- Bring innovation that delivers value beyond price—driving continuous improvement and operational efficiencies.
Key Skills / Qualifications
- Strong category management experience in related industries (indirects such as HR and recruitment services welcome), with a track record of delivering savings through strategic planning.
- MCIPS (or equivalent professional qualification would be beneficial).
- Confident negotiator able to develop fact-based negotiation plans and operate at senior level.
- Expertise in contracting and supplier relationship management; comfortable drafting contracts and familiar with contract law.
- Collaborative communicator who can influence, manage expectations and lead cross-functional teams through ambiguity.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to Bupa sites and suppliers across the UK.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday per year, pro rata to your contract.
- Access to a range of services to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Fixed term benefits allowance.
- Access to our confidential employee assistance programme.
- Workplace pension.
Why Bupa
We're a health insurer and provider. With no shareholders, our customers are our focus. Our people are all driven by the same purpose - helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We make health happen by being brave, caring and responsible in everything we do. We encourage all of our people to 'Be you at Bupa'. We champion diversity and understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve. That's why we especially encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Bupa is a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This means we aim to offer an interview/assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role. We'll make sure you're treated fairly and offer reasonable adjustments as part of our recruitment process to anyone that needs them.
If you require information regarding this role in an alternative format, please email: careers@bupa.com
Category Manager employer: Richmond Villages
Contact Detail:
Richmond Villages Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Bupa’s values and recent projects. Show us how your skills align with our mission to help people live healthier lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to be confident in discussions. Role-play with a friend to get comfortable with the process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your category management experience and any relevant achievements that align with Bupa's goals. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your skills match what we're looking for. Don’t forget to mention your experience in HR and recruitment services!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since negotiation is key for this role, make sure to include examples of successful negotiations you've led. We love seeing how you’ve secured value and reduced risk in past projects!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Richmond Villages
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of category management, especially in HR and recruitment services. Familiarise yourself with Bupa's goals and how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you demonstrate your strategic planning skills and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
As a confident negotiator, be ready to discuss your past experiences with contract negotiations. Think of specific examples where you secured value and reduced risk. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your negotiation strategies clearly during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
Bupa values collaborative communication, so prepare to share examples of how you've influenced cross-functional teams. Think about times when you managed expectations or led teams through ambiguity. Highlighting these experiences will show that you can thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Bupa is looking for innovation that delivers value beyond price. Be ready to discuss how you've driven continuous improvement and operational efficiencies in your previous roles. Share specific initiatives you've led that resulted in significant savings or enhanced supplier relationships.
