Principle Category Manager

Principle Category Manager

Temporary 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and manage supplier performance across major programmes.
  • Company: Join a leading organisation with a focus on strategic commercial roles.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in senior commercial roles and public sector sourcing strategies.
  • Other info: Collaborate with senior stakeholders and enjoy a dynamic work culture.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Overview

Role: Principal Category Manager

Duration: Initial 18-month contract (Inside IR35)

Location: Reading (2-3 days a week onsite)

We’re working with a leading organisation to recruit an experienced Principal Category Manager for a senior commercial role supporting multiple complex programmes. This position offers strategic ownership rather than direct line management and would suit someone comfortable operating at pace in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and deliver sourcing strategies across up to three major programmes.
  • Own commercial strategy, contracting models, and supplier performance frameworks.
  • Define routes to market and lead sourcing activity.
  • Provide task leadership across commercial and procurement teams.
  • Work closely with senior stakeholders, including executive-level contacts.

Qualifications

  • Strong background in senior commercial or category management roles.
  • Experience delivering complex sourcing strategies.
  • Public sector experience is required.
  • Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.

Desirable Experience

  • Familiarity with systems such as Jaggaer, Oracle Fusion, or CEMAR.
  • NEC contract experience or accreditation.
  • MCIPS (or equivalent) – desirable, not essential.

If this looks like a good fit, please apply or contact Fintan at TEC Partners for more detail.

Principle Category Manager employer: Trades Workforce Solutions

Join a leading organisation in Reading as a Principal Category Manager, where you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values strategic thinking and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and the chance to engage with senior stakeholders on impactful projects. Enjoy the benefits of a flexible working environment, with 2-3 days onsite, fostering collaboration while maintaining work-life balance.
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Contact Detail:

Trades Workforce Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principle Category Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Principal Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their sourcing strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. This shows you're not just interested in any job, but specifically in what they do.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements in previous roles, especially around complex sourcing strategies and stakeholder engagement. We want you to sound confident and capable when discussing your experience.

✨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 and make an impact.

We think you need these skills to ace Principle Category Manager

Sourcing Strategies
Commercial Strategy
Contracting Models
Supplier Performance Frameworks
Stakeholder Engagement
Influencing Skills
Public Sector Experience
Task Leadership
Procurement Management
Jaggaer
Oracle Fusion
CEMAR
NEC Contract Experience
MCIPS Accreditation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in senior commercial or category management roles and any public sector experience you have. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined 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 examples of how you've successfully delivered complex sourcing strategies and engaged with senior stakeholders. We love a good story!

Showcase Relevant Skills: Don’t forget to showcase any relevant skills or systems knowledge, like Jaggaer or Oracle Fusion. If you have NEC contract experience or MCIPS accreditation, make sure to mention that too. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running!

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. Let’s get your application in!

How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions

✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sourcing strategies, especially those relevant to the public sector. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully led sourcing activities and how you defined routes to market.

✨Engage with Senior Stakeholders

Since this role involves working closely with executive-level contacts, practice how you would engage and influence these stakeholders. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your ability to build relationships and drive commercial strategies.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Systems

If you have experience with systems like Jaggaer, Oracle Fusion, or CEMAR, be prepared to talk about it. If not, do a bit of research to understand their functionalities and how they can impact category management.

✨Demonstrate Your Regulatory Knowledge

Given the regulated environment of this role, be ready to discuss how you've navigated compliance in past positions. Highlight any experiences that show your ability to operate at pace while adhering to regulations.

Principle Category Manager
Trades Workforce Solutions
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