At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and develop supplier relationships in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Leading international engineering and manufacturing business with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced pension, private healthcare, and 33 days holiday.
- Other info: Genuine long-term career development opportunities in a global organisation.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and drive innovation while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
A leading international engineering and manufacturing business is looking to appoint an experienced Category Manager to lead its procurement function at a key UK site. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional who enjoys balancing strategic sourcing, supplier management and team leadership within a fast-paced technical environment. The business operates globally and continues to invest heavily in growth, innovation and operational improvement, offering genuine long-term career development opportunities.
The Role: Reporting into senior supply chain leadership, you will take responsibility for managing purchasing activities across the site whilst developing supplier relationships, improving procurement processes and driving cost and efficiency improvements. You’ll lead and support a team of buyers whilst remaining hands-on operationally and commercially.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, coach and develop the purchasing team
- Negotiate supplier agreements, pricing and commercial terms
- Drive supplier performance improvements and cost reduction initiatives
- Improve procurement systems, reporting and sourcing processes
- Work closely with production and supply chain teams to improve lead times and planning
- Develop supplier scorecards and KPI reporting
- Support continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives
- Ensure pricing and procurement data is accurate and maintained
Requirements:
- Previous Purchasing Manager or Senior Procurement experience
- Manufacturing, engineering or technical product background preferred
- Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills
- Experience managing or mentoring procurement teams
- CIPS qualification desirable
- Comfortable working with ERP / BI systems and procurement reporting tools
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
Package:
- Attractive salary
- Enhanced pension
- Private healthcare
- 33 days holiday
- Employee wellbeing support
- Excellent long-term progression opportunities within a global organisation
For a confidential discussion, please apply or contact directly.
Category Manager employer: Tom Samuel Recruitment Ltd
Join a leading international engineering and manufacturing business that prioritises employee growth and innovation. As a Category Manager in the Cheshire/Greater Manchester area, you will benefit from a competitive salary, enhanced pension, private healthcare, and 33 days of holiday, all within a supportive work culture that fosters continuous improvement and career development. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team while making a significant impact on procurement processes in a fast-paced technical environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement processes. Be ready to discuss how you can improve their supplier relationships and drive cost efficiencies based on your past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! If you've managed teams before, be sure to highlight your coaching and mentoring experiences. Companies love candidates who can lead and develop others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement, supplier management, and team leadership. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements in your previous roles that demonstrate your skills in negotiation and supplier performance improvements. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to showcase your strong communication and stakeholder management skills. These are crucial for the role. We want to know how you've successfully managed teams and improved procurement processes in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tom Samuel Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in manufacturing and engineering. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences with supplier negotiations and how you've improved procurement processes in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Category Manager, you'll be leading a team of buyers. Prepare examples of how you've coached or developed teams before. Highlight any specific instances where your leadership made a tangible difference in performance or morale.
✨Understand Their Business
Research the company’s operations, their market position, and recent developments in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their growth and innovation.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific procurement challenges. Think about scenarios involving supplier performance issues or cost reduction initiatives, and prepare structured responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
