At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category management improvements in a dynamic defence environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on transformation and strategy.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a complex and rewarding environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing processes and influencing change in the defence sector.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in category management and strong stakeholder influencing skills.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Contract: 6 months (likely to extend)
Day Rate: £500 - £700 a day, Inside IR35
Location: Hybrid – candidates should be able to attend Bristol or London around 1–2 days per week, depending on business and project requirements
Existing security clearance is not required. Successful candidates will need to complete the relevant pre-employment checks (BPSS).
The Opportunity:
I’m recruiting for multiple Interim Category Manager roles supporting a large and complex defence environment. These positions are not sourcing roles. The focus is on improving the way category management operates across the organisation - strengthening processes, category strategies, supplier management, governance, reporting and overall commercial capability.
The roles would suit experienced Category Managers who are comfortable working in complex environments, improving existing ways of working and influencing stakeholders through change.
Key Areas:
- Defence: Working across complex technical categories, with a focus on strengthening category strategy, supplier management, commercial insight and category management processes.
- Marine: Supporting a complex marine-related portfolio, requiring strong category strategy capability, supplier market understanding and confidence operating across technically demanding stakeholder groups.
- MRO / Operations: Focused on operational and maintenance-related categories, with an emphasis on improving category maturity, supplier performance, commercial management and ways of working.
- Category Strategy / Transformation: A broader transformation-focused role centred on improving category management frameworks, governance, reporting, consistency and overall capability across the procurement function.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, review and strengthen category strategies
- Improve category management processes, frameworks and ways of working
- Support stronger SRM and supplier performance management
- Use market, supplier, spend and operational insight to inform strategic decisions
- Identify commercial opportunities, risks and dependencies across complex portfolios
- Improve governance, reporting and category management consistency
- Influence senior stakeholders and build support for changes to processes and approach
- Support the implementation of agreed category strategy outcomes
- Drive continuous improvement across the wider category management function
Key Skills:
- Strong Category Management experience within large or complex organisations
- A track record of developing and implementing category strategies
- Experience improving category management capability, processes or maturity
- Strong SRM, supplier performance and commercial management experience
- Good market analysis and commercial intelligence capability
- Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Experience operating where data may be incomplete, ambiguous or inconsistent
- Confidence managing change and challenging existing ways of working
- The ability to work at pace and deliver high-quality outputs
Sector Background:
A public sector or defence background is not essential. Candidates from complex private-sector environments such as engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, utilities, infrastructure, industrials or other highly regulated organisations could be equally relevant. The priority is strong strategic category management and transformation capability rather than previous government procurement experience.
If you are an experienced interim Category Manager with a strong background in category strategy, transformation, process improvement or supplier management, please get in touch to discuss the opportunities in more detail.
Locations
Interim Category Managers – Defence Sector in Newport, Wales employer: Talent Drive | B Corp
Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding procurement consultancy in London, where you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects that drive tangible savings and transformation for a diverse range of private-sector clients. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and personal growth, providing you with the autonomy to take ownership of your workstreams while benefiting from mentorship and career progression as the team evolves. With a focus on sustainability and digitalisation, this role offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the procurement landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Category Managers – Defence Sector in Newport, Wales
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Talent Drive | B Corp. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Talent Drive | B Corp.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Talent Drive | B Corp.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Category Managers – Defence Sector in Newport, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Talent Drive | B Corp and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Drive | B Corp
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Talent Drive | B Corp will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Talent Drive | B Corp.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Talent Drive | B Corp.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Talent Drive | B Corp. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
