At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement projects and collaborate with stakeholders to drive efficiency.
- Company: Join SNG, a forward-thinking company focused on inclusion and employee wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while balancing work and life.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement, especially in construction or property services.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Procurement Manager or Category Manager with proven procurement experience in construction, asset management or property services? We have two fantastic opportunities for experienced procurement professionals to join our Procurement team at SNG (Sovereign Network Group) as Category Managers, supporting our Property Services and Development directorates.
Based from our offices in Basingstoke or Wembley, this is a great opportunity to combine home and office working to ensure a positive work / life balance. Occasional travel to other offices may be required, and there will be a requirement to attend our Basingstoke office once a week for team days.
The Role
As a Category Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role within our team, delivering a number of strategic and priority sourcing projects, collaborating with stakeholders to develop category plans and identify opportunities, supporting occasional operational procurement requirements, and maintaining procurement compliance. You’ll support one of the following business areas:
- Property Services (Asset Management and Estate Services)
- Development (Main Contractor and construction consultancy)
Main responsibilities include:
- Overseeing nominated category areas, suppliers and contracts to develop strategic procurement solutions to deliver efficiencies and benefits to the business.
- Delivering an agreed portfolio of sourcing projects from end-to-end, ensuring outcomes represent value for money, meet timelines and facilitate high standards.
- Maintaining compliance with the public procurement rules on individual projects and throughout the overall category portfolio.
- Leading supplier engagement and sourcing activity throughout the tender process, during the contract life cycle and for the overall category.
- Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business plans and objectives as well as any challenges, opportunities and identifying any risks.
- Undertaking market research, on suppliers, markets, frameworks, etc. to actively support own procurement projects.
- Ensuring all expenditure is identified with routes to market being clearly defined.
- Identifying areas where procurement can add measurable value in terms of sourcing exercises, onward effective supplier management and strategic procurement.
What we're looking for
You should have demonstrable experience within a similar role in procurement, ideally with knowledge of relevant category areas, such as Development / Construction, Property Services, Asset Management or Hard FM. You'll also need:
- Strategic procurement category management expertise, evidencing the use of data and analysis to drive decision making.
- Practical experience of carrying out tenders and competitions in accordance with the public sector procurement rules.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with proven ability to engage and influence others to deliver the best outcomes.
- Experience in supplier relationship management, ensuring value for money deals with suppliers who are committed to delivering a high service to SNG, and managing the commercial performance of procurement contracts.
- An agile approach with high attention to details and ability to work successfully on multiple projects at different stages, effectively prioritising tasks.
- An understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and PCR 2015 is relevant and beneficial to this role.
- Experience of working for a registered social housing provider, local authority or similar public sector body, and/or a provider of repair, maintenance or facility management services, or a developer of new homes, would be advantageous.
We have some great benefits at SNG, including:
- 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days).
- Chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package.
- 3 additional wellbeing days and 2 paid volunteering days.
- Generous matched pension scheme up to 12% and Life cover at 4x salary.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption pay.
- Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance and critical illness cover.
- Wellbeing discounts, including Gym Memberships and access to a 24/7 virtual GP service.
At Sovereign Network Group, we are passionate about inclusion for all and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at SNG. Take a look at our careers site to learn more about us and our values.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Basingstoke
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Sovereign Network Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Sovereign Network Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Sovereign Network Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Sovereign Network Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sovereign Network Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Sovereign Network Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Sovereign Network Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Sovereign Network Group's culture.
