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- Tasks: Lead category strategies for indirect spend, driving cost savings and supplier performance.
- Company: Join Scott Bader, a pioneering employee-owned manufacturer with a century of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, enhanced pension, private medical insurance, and 25 days leave.
- Why this job: Shape procurement processes and make a real impact in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in indirect procurement, strong negotiation skills, and analytical mindset required.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant workplace with opportunities for volunteering and community support.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
As our new Category Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of category strategies across a broad portfolio of indirect spend areas, including professional services, logistics, facilities management, IT, MRO, utilities and capex projects, representing £40–£50m per year. Working closely with the Head of Indirect and Capex Procurement, you’ll drive cost savings, enhance supplier performance and help embed robust procurement processes in an environment where there is real opportunity to shape and elevate procurement maturity. Operating within the wider global supply chain, you’ll leverage opportunities for global savings and secure the lowest total cost to the business. You will develop and execute category supply strategies that deliver measurable benefits in working capital improvement, cost reduction, supplier rationalisation, process improvement and effective cost control.
Some of your key responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver 3–5 year category strategies for indirect spend, aligned to business objectives and stakeholder needs.
- Lead competitive sourcing activities, RFx processes and contract negotiations to drive value, mitigate risk and protect commercial interests.
- Build strong supplier partnerships, manage performance and drive continuous improvement and innovation.
- Conduct spend analysis to identify consolidation, standardisation and cost efficiency opportunities across sites.
- Embed robust procurement processes, governance frameworks and performance metrics to enhance visibility and control.
- Partner with key stakeholders across finance, operations and engineering to support a more strategic, commercially focused procurement function.
What do I need to be successful in this role?
- Proven experience in indirect procurement across multiple spend categories, with full end-to-end procurement cycle expertise.
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation and contract management skills, with a track record of delivering cost savings and value improvements.
- Analytical mindset with advanced Excel capability, confidence using ERP/MRP systems, and strong data analysis skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, working collaboratively within multifunctional teams.
What’s in it for me?
- A competitive salary alongside inclusion into our company bonus scheme.
- Enhanced employer pension contribution whereby Scott Bader will contribute a maximum of 2x your contribution, up to a maximum of 10%.
- Private medical insurance alongside a host of further discounts and employee benefit schemes.
- 25 days annual leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays – We also offer the opportunity to purchase an additional 5 day’s annual leave in case you need a couple of extra days.
- We offer all our employees one full day per year to complete volunteering work of your choice which is fully paid.
- If you are thinking about fundraising for your favourite charity or local community event, we will happily match the funds that you have raised up to a maximum of £1000 in any one year.
Who are Scott Bader?
Scott Bader is an employee-owned global manufacturer of advanced composites, structural adhesives and functional polymers. Established in 1921, we have a century of expertise in manufacturing high-quality, innovative products for a variety of markets around the world. Scott Bader now employs 800 people across 7 manufacturing sites and 18 offices worldwide. We are committed to expanding our global reach, with recent ventures including North America, India, Japan and Australia, while continuing to build on our reputation for innovation, outstanding quality and technical expertise.
Diversity & Inclusion
Our aim is to create an environment that is welcoming to all people, and ensures we treat each other and customers with respect. We appreciate different and fresh ways of thinking, encouraging innovation where colleagues feel they can express their views freely, and create a working atmosphere in which everyone is able to deliver a high‑quality service.
Category Manager in Northampton employer: Scott Bader
Contact Detail:
Scott Bader Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their procurement processes and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to drive value and mitigate risks. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to build confidence 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, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Scott Bader.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in indirect procurement and how it aligns with our needs. We want to see how you can drive cost savings and enhance supplier performance!
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your commercial acumen and negotiation skills. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to deliver value improvements. We love a good success story!
Be Data-Driven: Since we’re all about analytics, make sure to mention your advanced Excel capabilities and any experience with ERP/MRP systems. We want to know how you’ve used data analysis to identify cost efficiencies in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scott Bader
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific indirect spend categories mentioned in the job description. Understand the trends, challenges, and opportunities within professional services, logistics, and IT. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully drove cost savings or enhanced supplier performance. Be ready to discuss your approach to contract management and how you've mitigated risks in previous roles. This will highlight your strong commercial acumen and ability to protect commercial interests.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Brush up on your Excel skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data analysis to identify cost efficiency opportunities. Consider bringing a case study or example of a spend analysis you've conducted, as this will showcase your analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built effective relationships in the past. Prepare to share stories that illustrate your ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you've worked with multifunctional teams to achieve common goals, aligning with Scott Bader's values.