At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing projects and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance procurement efficiency.
- Company: Join SNG, a dynamic team focused on innovative procurement solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible work-life balance with remote options and competitive salary.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in property services while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in procurement, especially in property services, is essential.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Procurement Manager or Category Manager with proven procurement experience in property services? We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Category Manager to join our Procurement team at SNG (Sovereign Network Group). 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 our teams across property services - asset management and estate services.
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.
You should have demonstrable experience within a similar role in procurement, ideally with knowledge of relevant category areas, such as property services - repairs and maintenance, asset management, building compliance 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.
Category Manager employer: Sovereign Network Group
At Sovereign Network Group, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where your health and safety is paramount. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, and opportunities for personal growth, you will find meaningful work that truly makes a difference in the community. Join our dedicated team in Wiltshire and enjoy the unique advantage of a company van and fuel card, ensuring you can focus on delivering quality homes without financial worry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨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
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.
