At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and deliver impactful category strategies while managing supplier relationships.
- Company: Major UK-based organisation investing in commercial and procurement capabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, strong benefits, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities across digital, security, product, and corporate services.
- Why this job: Drive real commercial value and influence senior stakeholders in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management, sourcing, and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 60000 £ per year.
A major UK-based organisation is investing heavily in its commercial and procurement capability and is hiring five Category Managers to support a large, complex and evolving spend portfolio.
These are genuinely impactful roles where you will own end-to-end category strategy, influence senior stakeholders, and drive real commercial value across multi-million-pound spend areas.
The opportunities include:
- Digital (x2): Looking for strong category specialists with experience across digital, tech, or IT spend
- Security (x1): Covering physical and operational security (e.g. access control, facilities, infrastructure) - facilities management backgrounds welcome
- Product & Infrastructure (x1): Supporting core products/services and the physical infrastructure behind them
- Corporate Services (x1): Managing outsourced providers and business services categories
What you will be doing:
- Owning and delivering end-to-end category strategies across short, medium, and long-term horizons
- Leading sourcing activity, supplier selection, and complex negotiations
- Acting as the commercial expert for your category - bringing market insight, innovation, and challenge
- Managing key supplier relationships to drive performance, value, and continuous improvement
- Partnering with stakeholders to influence decision-making and shape commercial outcomes
- Identifying and managing risk, opportunity, and cost optimisation across your spend area
Category Manager employer: Signet Resources
Join a forward-thinking UK-based organisation that prioritises innovation and growth, offering Category Managers the chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment. With a strong emphasis on employee development, hybrid working options, and a competitive benefits package, this role not only allows you to shape category strategies but also fosters a collaborative culture where your contributions are valued. Located in Reading, you'll benefit from a vibrant community and access to a wealth of resources to support your professional journey.
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. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its category management strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, we suggest using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else.
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 experience in managing category strategies and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive commercial value.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to explain how your background in digital, security, or corporate services aligns with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:In your application, emphasise your experience in influencing senior stakeholders. We want to see examples of how you've successfully partnered with others to shape commercial outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Signet Resources
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the specific category you're applying for, whether it's Digital, Security, Product & Infrastructure, or Corporate Services. Research current trends, challenges, and innovations in that area so you can speak confidently about how you would approach category strategy.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led or been involved in. Highlight your strategies, the outcomes, and how you managed relationships with suppliers. This will demonstrate your ability to drive value and influence stakeholders effectively.
✨Understand Stakeholder Management
Think about how you’ve partnered with different stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you’ve influenced decision-making and shaped commercial outcomes. This is crucial for a Category Manager, so show them you can build those relationships.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific situations related to risk management, cost optimisation, or supplier performance. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios to showcase your strategic thinking.
