Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships for indirect goods and services.
- Company: Join Unipart, a forward-thinking company with a commitment to personal and professional growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 33 days holiday, flexible benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving cost-effective solutions and enhancing stakeholder experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in category sourcing, strong negotiation skills, and excellent relationship-building abilities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and encourages you to be your best self.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Nuneaton (CV10 7RL)
Salaries: £55,000 per annum, plus car / car allowance, 33 days holiday, pension, life assurance, employee assistance programme, wellbeing support, and flexible benefits scheme.
About the Job
You’ll have an important part to play supporting the Procurement Manager in leading and managing the procurement of indirect goods and services. You will provide a timely and cost‑effective procurement category strategy and expertise to stakeholders across the Unipart portfolio of sites and clients. Here at Unipart we don’t just have a way of working, we have The Unipart Way. It allows everyone in our team to pursue their own personal and professional goals to a world class level, through Unipart’s ‘Gate to Great’ training and development program. As a Category Manager you will promote the procurement platform whilst driving improvements in the stakeholder experience, working collaboratively with all functions to drive alignment of best procurement practice and maximise opportunities for Unipart.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement commercial sourcing strategies for indirect services and goods delivering VFM and cost reduction across multiple categories, sectors and clients.
- Ensure suitable ongoing contractual coverage for key services and goods eliminating risk of supply.
- Review and negotiate contract terms, mitigating commercial exposure to Unipart.
- Manage approval through to signature for supplier onboarding and contract agreements.
- Manage key supplier relationships for long‑term strategic partnering and benefit opportunities.
- Support internal stakeholders with key supplier performance reviews to help build business capability.
- Support commercial account teams through engagement and presentations to clients when required.
- Implement procurement policies, processes and procedures to help protect and advance the business.
- Provide an expert point of contact for internal senior stakeholders at all levels.
- Manage change by effective procurement leadership through utilisation of The Unipart Way principles.
- Deputise for the Procurement Manager when required.
- Provide market knowledge and expertise for delegated supplier spend.
About You
- Previous experience in multiple category sourcing, delivering significant savings and innovative solutions.
- Strong negotiation skills and an understanding of standard terms and conditions to mitigate legal and commercial risk.
- Excellent relationship‑building skills and the ability to confidently influence senior‑level internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong IT, analytical, and problem‑solving capabilities; highly organised, able to prioritise, and adaptable to a fast‑paced environment.
- A clear, concise, and engaging communicator at all levels, with a strong customer focus and collaborative approach.
- Awareness of ISO 20400 and experience in contributing to sustainability/Net Zero targets.
- MCIPS qualified.
Our recruitment and selection process has been developed to ensure that it is consistent, fair and provides equality of opportunity — all selection decisions are based solely on technical and behavioural competencies. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, or nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, religion or belief, age or any other current or future protected characteristic as defined in the current Equality Act of England and Wales. As an organisation we also promote an environment which encourages diversity of characteristics and thought, where you feel included, safe and confident to be the best version of yourself and do your best work every day.
Category Manager employer: Unipart
Contact Detail:
Unipart Recruiting Team
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 industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Unipart’s values and The Unipart Way. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role but also for their culture. Tailor your examples to highlight how your experience aligns with their goals and procurement strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Unipart team and ready to embrace their procurement platform.
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 and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver savings and innovative solutions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to showcase your negotiation skills and relationship-building abilities, and how they align with The Unipart Way.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your strong IT, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities. We want to see how you can adapt to a fast-paced environment and manage change effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unipart
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the categories you'll be managing. Understand the market trends, key suppliers, and potential cost-saving strategies. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since strong negotiation skills are crucial for this role, prepare by reviewing common negotiation scenarios. Think about how you would approach contract terms and mitigating risks. Practising these scenarios with a friend can help you articulate your strategies clearly during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Be ready to discuss examples of how you've built and maintained relationships with stakeholders in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, highlighting your ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Prowess
Prepare to discuss your analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or improve processes. This will showcase your ability to provide valuable insights and support the procurement strategy effectively.