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- Tasks: Manage procurement categories and deliver value for money in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Vico Homes, a forward-thinking organisation with a commitment to social value.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, flexible working options, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on wellbeing and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on procurement strategies while developing your career.
- Qualifications: MCIPS or part qualified status with experience in sourcing goods and services.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Hours: 37
Closing Date: 18/05/2026
Reference: V054/26
Vico Homes is built on the foundations of WDH. Due to upcoming retirements, we are looking for two Category Managers to join our Procurement Team.
About the role
As the Category Manager your manager will be our Senior Category Manager. You will work 37 hours a week on a permanent basis, working flexibly in the Vico Homes operating area based at our Head Office in Castleford. As the Category Manager you will be responsible for supporting the strategic management of key procurement categories, delivering value for money, social value and compliant procurement outcomes across the organisation. You will work in conjunction with colleagues, the Senior Category Manager and Head of Procurement in the delivery of an effective procurement function for Vico Homes, excelling in compliance, governance, best practice and in accordance with Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.
What you’ll do
- Be responsible for the management of medium to high value, high risk and complex projects and contracts, as required, to ensure regulatory and contractual compliance, identify and manage risks that may arise through the operation of the contract and implement robust financial and operational controls which maximise Performance, Value for Money and Social Value.
- Support and manage Vico Homes procurement categories and procurement systems, developing category procurement and sourcing plans to maximise spend leverage and deliver bottom line efficiencies and value for money, whilst managing commercial and financial risk and meeting legislative and regulatory requirements.
- Work in conjunction with the Senior Category Manager in developing commercial and operational purchasing strategies and pipelines, ensuring optimal supplier performance, value for money and migration of risk in line with legislation and regulation.
- Develop strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to understand service needs and provide commercial advice.
What we’re looking for
- MCIPS or part qualified status (minimum Level 4) with continued active study.
- Experience of sourcing a wide portfolio of different goods and services for medium to high value projects.
- In depth knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023.
- The ability to work through complex problems with the minimum of supervision and to think critically, constructively and productively as an individual and in cooperation with others.
- A customer focused and collaborative approach to working with a wide range of stakeholders from within and outside Vico Homes.
Benefits
- Holidays - 26 days holiday (rising to 31 after five years' service) and an extra day off on your birthday, plus bank holidays and an Annual Leave Purchase Scheme.
- Flexible working - we’re happy to talk flexible working, including our WorkSmart approach to hybrid working, reduced hours, compressed hours or other flexible working patterns.
- Vico Homes Rewards - a fantastic range of lifestyle savings and salary sacrifice schemes including cycle to work, home electronics and our car benefit scheme.
- Colleague wellbeing - a range of initiatives to support our people including an Employee Assistance Programme, Volunteering Scheme and dedicated Wellbeing Champions.
- Colleague development – a range of initiatives to support personal development including training, support with professional membership fees, internal and external qualifications, mentoring and personal coaching.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all.
Category Manager employer: Vico Homes
Contact Detail:
Vico Homes 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 current or former employees at Vico Homes on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and what they really value in a Category Manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to procurement and category management. We should also be ready to discuss how we’ve tackled complex projects in the past, showcasing our problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our knowledge of Public Contracts Regulations and the Procurement Act during interviews. We want to demonstrate that we’re not just familiar with these regulations but can apply them effectively in real-world scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds and show our enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why we’re the perfect fit for the Category Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience with procurement categories and any relevant qualifications like MCIPS. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your experience with medium to high value projects. Share specific examples of how you've managed risks and ensured compliance. This will help us understand your capabilities in handling complex contracts.
Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement: We value strong relationships with stakeholders, so include examples of how you’ve collaborated with others in previous roles. Show us your customer-focused approach and how you’ve provided commercial advice to meet service needs.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vico Homes
✨Know Your Procurement Regulations
Make sure you brush up on the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023. Being able to discuss these regulations confidently will show that you understand the legal framework you'll be working within, which is crucial for a Category Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Sourcing Experience
Prepare specific examples of your experience in sourcing goods and services for medium to high value projects. Highlight any successful strategies you've implemented and how they delivered value for money. This will demonstrate your capability to manage complex procurement categories effectively.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you've developed strong relationships with stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve collaborated with others to meet service needs and provide commercial advice. This will illustrate your customer-focused approach, which is key for this role.
✨Demonstrate Critical Thinking
Prepare to discuss how you tackle complex problems independently and collaboratively. Think of scenarios where you've had to think critically and constructively to overcome challenges. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the demands of the role with minimal supervision.