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- Tasks: Develop and deliver category strategies while managing supplier relationships and driving value.
- Company: Join a dynamic, forward-thinking procurement team in Reading.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a robust pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working with opportunities for career growth and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a significant investment programme and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in complex supply chains and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Category Manager will develop and deliver end-to-end category strategies across short, medium, and long-term horizons, driving value while managing commercial risk. They provide market insight, lead sourcing activities, and act as the commercial expert, adapting quickly to market changes to secure optimal outcomes. The role also oversees supplier performance and relationships, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with business objectives while delivering measurable value.
What you’ll be doing as a Category Manager:
- Engage proactively with internal stakeholders to shape category approach, business needs, spend and suppliers.
- Be seen by the business as the Procurement / Commercial expert for the category, providing market insight and a deep understanding of supply market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, suppliers, and emerging technical innovations.
- Identify and prioritise a sourcing pipeline as part of category development.
- Lead category projects and sourcing events, adhering to the required approach.
- Negotiate with suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters and apply judgment as to what constitutes an acceptable level of contractual risk and supply resilience.
- Lead the review of supplier opportunities, innovations, and improvements.
- Operate information systems to the required standard to maintain accurate and secure records.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting on the sourcing projects using available reporting tools.
Base location – Hybrid – Clear Water Court, Reading
Requirements for the role – Occasional site and supplier visits. We are looking for several Category Managers to join our Water, Waste, Retail and Digital category teams.
What you should bring to the role:
- Understanding and experience of operating in complex supply chain environments.
- Ability to challenge industry norms and proactively seek out opportunities to deliver sustained improvements in performance.
- Track record in continuous improvement and ability to deliver against stretching targets.
- Good understanding of pre- and post-deal processes and how better information and improvements in process can deliver value to the organisation.
- Experience of working with key suppliers.
- Ability to analyse data.
- Holistically manage risk.
- Capable of managing categories up to £100m in value.
What’s in it for you?
- Competitive salary
- Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Category Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Wokingham employer: Thames Water
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Wokingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Category Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. We want you to be the go-to expert during your interview, so brush up on market insights and trends relevant to the category you’re applying for.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples where you’ve driven value or improved supplier relationships. We love hearing about real results and how you’ve tackled challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals to join our dynamic team!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in managing complex supply chains and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive value and manage risk.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share specific examples of how you've challenged industry norms and delivered improvements in performance, as this will resonate with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Market Insight: In your application, demonstrate your understanding of market dynamics and supplier relationships. We want to see how you can bring valuable insights to the table, so don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Categories
Before the interview, dive deep into the categories you'll be managing. Understand the market dynamics, key suppliers, and any recent trends or innovations. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your proactive approach to category management.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully managed commercial risks and secured optimal outcomes. Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you assess acceptable levels of risk. This will highlight your capability as a commercial expert.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've engaged with internal stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you shaped category approaches based on business needs. This will illustrate your collaborative mindset and ability to align with business objectives.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Brush up on your data analysis skills and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive continuous improvement. Highlight any tools or systems you've used to maintain accurate records and report on sourcing projects, as this aligns with the role's requirements.