Category Manager in Ipswich

Sizewell C is entering an exciting phase of growth as we mature into an independent organisation and continue building one of the UK’s largest and most important energy projects. We are now recruiting the below position.

Location: Hybrid, London, 25 Copthall Avenue (minimum 3 days per week onsite).

Employment type: Permanent full-time.

Salary: 58,000-66,000 per annum - dependent on experience

Benefits:

• 5% CIP bonus
• 28 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Contributory pension of up to 7.5% employee/15% employer
• Ongoing professional development
• Other lifestyle benefits

Closing date: 30th October 2026

Job Purpose: The ‘Category Manager – HR’ is responsible for identifying and delivering against agreed procurement strategies, predominantly within the Human Resources spend category. Solid experience and proficiency in developing categories, data analysis, tendering, negotiations, contract management and stakeholder engagement to a senior level within an organisation, whilst also providing guidance and direction to those Procurement colleagues working within the Category.

Nature and Scope: The Category Manager is an important role within the SZC Supply Chain Group with accountability to the Head of Procurement Practice & Indirects for the successful delivery of commercially robust contracts for SZC. As such the Category Manager is empowered to make decisions around the Principle Accountability areas, under the overall guidance of the Head of Procurement Practice & Indirects and in accordance with delegated levels of authority. The Category Manager will be the primary point of commercial contact on the category(s) assigned to them and will be required to work closely and pro-actively with the other stakeholders at all levels and across all the teams within SZC to ensure that the requirements of the departments are met through the successful delivery of best value commercially robust contracts.

The Category Manager is responsible and accountable for:

• The day to day management and support of Assistant Category Manager(s) and Category Assistant(s) within their Category, enabling growth within their roles.
• Developing, implementing and delivering against long term category strategies which have been agreed with the business whilst ensuring delivery against SZC values and strategy.
• Developing and leading on complex tender activities, from inception through to contract execution and implementation, through full end to end tender processes.
• Consistently delivering against key Procurement metrics, such as cost savings, SLAs and reporting requirements as required.
• Being a trusted advisor to the business, ensuring compliance with SZC governance, regulation and best practice Procurement at all times.
• Responsible for the delivery of contracts in accordance with SZC governance requirements to meet SZC Project and business objectives.
• Professional development of self and people within the team.

Principal Accountabilities: The Category Manager is responsible for the end to end Procurement activities in relation to the Human Resources category. Whilst HR will be the main category, the Category Manager will also be responsible for other smaller categories within the Indirects space, which may include, but are not limited to one or more of the following: Marketing, PR, Comms.

Responsible for analysing spend data, market data and trends and innovation, the Category Manager will be responsible for developing multi-year Category Strategy(s) in conjunction with the business stakeholders whilst also operating and advising the business and direct reports at a tactical and operational level on best practice Procurement and SZC governance.

The Category Manager will be proficient and experienced in leading complex tender activities, ensuring the tender outputs meet the business needs, through the delivery of robust comprehensive tenders, which are evaluated, negotiated and contracted whilst ensuring comprehensive contract management techniques are included within the resultant contract.

Growth within the team is an important consideration for SZC, therefore the Category Manager will be responsible for ensuring those within their ‘Category’ from Procurement are given the opportunity to grow in their role and to gain experience and knowledge in best practice Procurement, such that they can progress within the department should they want to.

Other responsibilities of the Category Manager include:

• ITT preparation, evaluation and negotiation, ensuring that selected tenders are compliant with the scope and commercial requirements competing within frameworks and negotiating and contracting the placement of Statements of Works/Work Orders
• Direct negotiations
• Cross functional collaboration
• Stakeholder engagement and management at all levels within the organisation
• Managing Supplier / Contractor commercial relationships and engagement
• Implementing progress and dashboard reporting, preparation of contract specific progress reports and reporting
• Maintaining procurement and contract commercial files and records
• Interfacing with Legal team on conditions of contract issues and non-disclosure agreements
• Ensuring all internal governance approval is in place to enable timely Contract Execution
• Maximising operational and financial performance whilst minimising commercial risk for all engagements within the scope of the Category
• Supporting other Category Managers and the wider Procurement team as required

The Category Manager will work with collaborative behaviours, in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation by ensuring that the strategy for collaborative working is followed in terms of leading by example in establishing effective collaborative arrangements with all parties in SZC. The Category Manager will seek to achieve ‘win-win, equitable commercial outcomes for all parties. Contributing positively to the various collaborative working initiatives, team building activity and behavioural/relationship assessments and seek and act proactively and positively upon feedback on personal attitudes and behaviours, thereby adopting positive and proactive approaches to facilitate early commercial close out.

The Category Manager is responsible for ensuring that all commercial activities are conducted throughout execution of the contract in accordance with SZC Supply Chain Procedures including:

• Participating in the contract kick-off meeting and organising the Supply Chain section of the meeting.
• Overseeing and advising on the commercial administration of contracts within their Category(s) including; Notices and Instructions; Applications, Invoicing and Payment; Variations and Changes; Disputes and Claims; Delays, Extensions of Time, Force Majeure and Liquidated Damages; Bonds and Guarantees; Intellectual Property Rights; Termination; Progress Monitoring and Financial Reviews; Liabilities; Confidentiality Agreements; etc.
• Leading contract commercial reviews and attending progress reviews where necessary.
• Recommend mitigating actions on all commercial risk / claim events at the earliest possible time.
• Implementing contract commercial / financial reporting and participating in periodic contract reviews.
• Participating in contractor performance management.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• MCIPS accredited or educated to relevant degree level is preferable.
• Effective commercial / contract management skills are essential, with clear knowledge of best practice contract methodologies.
• Able to demonstrate a noteworthy track record of administering successful contracts.
• Excellent commercial skills and ability to make sound decisions on both matters of financial value and service quality.
• Understanding of contract performance measurement, risk management and change.
• Excellent negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels.
• Proven experience in developing and leading HR category, whilst ensuring compliance with company governance, UK Law and EU legislation/regulation.
• Experienced in digesting and interpreting contractual information.
• Familiar with the nuclear site licence conditions and the nuclear baseline philosophy would be advantageous but not essential.