Category Manager in Horsham

Category Manager in Horsham

Horsham Full-Time 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement activities and collaborate with stakeholders to drive effective sourcing strategies.
  • Company: Join a mission-driven organisation focused on animal welfare and diversity.
  • Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while supporting a cause you care about.
  • Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills required.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for continuous improvement and career advancement.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.

We are looking for a new team member as Category Manager.

Key Information

  • Working hours: 35 hours / Mon - Friday.
  • Hybrid role: Your base will be at Horsham West Sussex. Occasional travel and overnight stays; a valid driver’s licence is essential.

What a day might look like for you

In this role, you’ll be at the centre of procurement activity across a wide range of indirect spend areas such as professional services, HR, facilities, legal, and finance. Your day will typically involve working closely with stakeholders across the organisation to understand their needs, helping them shape clear and effective requirements, and driving the procurement process from start to finish. You might begin by meeting with a senior stakeholder to refine a scope of work, ensuring the business requirement is clearly defined and aligned to realise value for money. From there, you could be analysing market options, developing a sourcing strategy, or preparing for a supplier negotiation—considering cost, risk, and long‑term value. A key part of your role will be influencing and educating colleagues, helping to embed a consistent approach to procurement activity across the organisation. You’ll act as a trusted advisor, balancing commercial insight with strong relationship‑building to ensure the best outcomes. Alongside sourcing activity, you’ll continuously look for opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, and manage risk. You’ll also stay aware of market conditions and supply chain challenges, working proactively to ensure continuity of supply and strong supplier performance.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Proven experience in category management, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
  • Strong commercial and analytical skills, including cost modelling and interpreting supplier financial information.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders.
  • Effective negotiation skills, with the ability to manage complex commercial discussions and deliver value.
  • A proactive, self‑driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Commutable distance to our Horsham or London hub.

Additional Requirements

  • Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
  • Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK – we are unable to sponsor visas.

EEO Statement

We are building the future of a diverse society, and our priority is to support animal welfare by finding people from all backgrounds who are committed to our mission. We actively encourage a wide diversity of applications—particularly from members of minority ethnic groups, and people with disabilities—who are under‑represented at the RSPCA. Your transferable skills and lived experiences could make you a valuable addition to our family.

Category Manager in Horsham employer: RSPCA

At RSPCA, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth. As a Category Manager based in Horsham, you will enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on animal welfare while collaborating with passionate colleagues. We are committed to your professional development and provide a dynamic environment where your skills in procurement can thrive.
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Contact Detail:

RSPCA Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Horsham

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its procurement processes. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and challenges, so you can showcase how your skills in category management can add value right from the get-go.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to submit your application. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter, which is always a bonus!

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Horsham

Category Management
Procurement Process Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Market Analysis
Sourcing Strategy Development
Supplier Negotiation
Cost Modelling
Financial Information Interpretation
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Negotiation Skills
Continuous Improvement
Risk Management
Relationship Building
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about procurement and how you can contribute to our mission. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your commercial and analytical skills in your application. Mention specific examples of cost modelling or supplier negotiations you've handled. We love seeing real-life applications of your expertise!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at RSPCA

✨Know Your Procurement Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your category management knowledge. Understand the procurement process inside out, especially in areas like professional services and HR. Being able to discuss market options and sourcing strategies confidently will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Since this role involves working closely with senior stakeholders, practice how you'll engage with them. Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of their needs and how you can help shape effective requirements. This will highlight your communication skills and ability to influence.

✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills

Be ready to discuss your experience with cost modelling and interpreting supplier financial information. Bring examples of how you've used these skills in past roles to drive value for money. This will prove that you have the analytical chops needed for the job.

✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset

Think about times when you've improved processes or reduced costs in previous roles. Be prepared to share these examples during the interview. Showing a proactive approach to continuous improvement will resonate well with the hiring team.

Category Manager in Horsham
RSPCA
Location: Horsham
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