Category Lead Manager - Rail in Warwick

Our Business Support teams deliver the vital services to ensure the continued success of our business divisions. These services include HR, Finance, Procurement, Marketing, Legal and Commercial, Estates and Facilities, Core Technology, Corporate Security, IT, and Fleet. Every person in every team is contributing to the lasting impact our Team makes. Help build and keep the nation's critical infrastructure connected and protected 24/7.

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, the Category Lead Manager is responsible for developing and achieving category strategies, managing product ranges, optimising pricing and promotions, and building strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams. This involves analysing market trends, understanding consumer behaviour, and driving growth through data‑driven insights. This is a hybrid working role, with a requirement to be in our Warwick HQ 1‑2 days per week, as well as other ad‑hoc travel on occasion.

What you’ll do:

• Accountable for managing categories of spend within a designated business unit and associated spend with a multimillion annual spend.
• Responsible to ensure appropriate use of corporate and functional processes and tools.
• Responsible for management of internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for the creation and implementation of the designated commercial strategies for a designated business unit.
• Responsible for the creation of strategies for H/M/L value and complex / non‑complex categories.
• Responsible for all RFx activities, managing the sourcing process, negotiation and contracting activities for H/M/L value categories and complex / non‑complex categories.
• Responsible for the evaluation of suppliers as part of supplier on‑boarding process and implementation of iProcurement strategy category code management in line with Category strategy.
• Responsible for negotiation of flow‑down terms for complex agreements.
• Responsible for on‑going supplier performance and supplier relationship management throughout the contract lifetime, including inputs to risk register and risk mitigation strategies.
• Assist input into corporate and functional business continuity and disaster recovery plan.
• Implement legislative and international standards within the supply base.

Who you are:

You’re an experienced category professional with a strong commercial mindset. You have a track record of building effective supplier and stakeholder relationships, and you collaborate confidently across teams to deliver results.

Key Requirements:

• Degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline Or Professional qualification MCIPS, preferably Chartered status.
• A track record in driving cost out and driving value up within a Procurement organisation.
• A successful track record of following a strategic sourcing / category management methodology.
• Demonstrable experience in category management in a procurement or commercial environment.
• Experienced in people / team management.
• Experience in developing category plans and strategy.
• Excellent negotiation skills and techniques.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate exceptional stakeholder management approach and skills.

What we offer:

• Car Allowance
• 34 days holiday, including public holidays, plus the option to buy or sell days annually OR 26 days holiday, plus public holidays, and the option to buy or sell days annually.
• Company pension scheme
• A range of family friendly policies.
• Occupational health support and wellbeing Portal.
• Discounts on Cinema, Restaurants and Shopping with Telent Reward scheme.

We’re passionate about creating an environment that champions diversity and inclusion, where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves and empowered to reach their full potential. People are at the heart of our business, and we believe that our teams should reflect the diverse experiences and backgrounds of the communities we support.