At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy for Fleet, guiding colleagues and managing procurement activities.
- Company: Join a leading rail company focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, free travel, and discounts for you and your family.
- Other info: Commit to a minimum 14-month role for personal growth and expertise development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education, MCIPS or willingness to pursue, and experience in Category Management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead the category strategy across Fleet. You will guide colleagues through change, build capability, and support effective engagement with Finance, IT, and the DFTO. This role leads impactful tendering activity under PA23 regulations, securing real commercial and operational gains for WM Trains. You’ll champion high‑quality procurement governance and help shape how the organisation delivers its strategic contracting ambitions.
Key Responsibilities
- Be the procurement expert for the assigned category of Fleet, ensuring full delivery of the Category Plan and all related contracts.
- Lead procurement strategies with full stakeholder engagement, developing frameworks where needed and ensuring alignment with policies and processes.
- Develop fit‑for‑purpose contractual agreements, manage supplier performance, and uphold compliance with UK laws and industry standards.
- Maintain strong procurement governance, approve POs where applicable, and support sustainability commitments including ISO20400 improvements.
- Lead stakeholder engagement, work with DFTO on key approvals, and contribute to group sourcing strategies to secure best value for WM Trains.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Degree‑level education or equivalent experience, with MCIPS achieved or a willingness to work towards it.
- Experienced in Category Management, ideally with rail experience.
- Advanced analytical ability, confidence with spend data, and strong ICT skills including e‑procurement and Microsoft tools.
- Strong negotiation and commercial skills, able to run full procurement cycles independently and maintain high‑quality documentation.
- Excellent communicator who works well with diverse stakeholders, adapts to change, thinks creatively, and operates flexibly.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, the advert may close earlier than the published closing date. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out. To ensure continuity and an effective delivery of service, successful candidates will be required to commit to a minimum 14-month period in role after achieving competence. This also includes existing colleagues who move by internal promotions and transfers. This time allows our future colleagues to support personal career development by allowing time to build strong knowledge and expertise.
Benefits
- Salary of up to £65,000 dependent on experience.
- A defined benefit pension from day 1 – one of the best in the UK.
- Free travel on all London Northwestern and West Midlands Railway services for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 75% off all other train operating companies for you, your spouse/partner, and dependents.
- 8 Friends and Family Day passes to gift per annum on our network.
- A 24/7 Virtual GP service for you and your household.
- Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential employee benefit that supports you with personal or work-related issues affecting your home life, work life, health, or wellbeing.
- Our cycle to work scheme with Evans Cycles.
- A retail discount portal - offering savings, discounts and cashback at over 800 retailers and restaurants.
Senior Category Manager in Birmingham employer: WM Trains
WM Trains is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead impactful procurement strategies in the rail industry. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive salaries, and comprehensive benefits including free travel for you and your family, we foster a culture of collaboration and innovation that empowers our team members to thrive. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive workplace that values your contributions and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those already working in procurement or category management. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Show us you understand their needs and how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your answers to highlight your relevant skills!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Senior Category Manager role. We want to see your application come through directly, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management, especially in procurement and rail, and showcase any relevant achievements that align with our job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to demonstrate your understanding of procurement governance and how you can contribute to our strategic ambitions at WM Trains.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your analytical abilities and ICT skills in your application. We want to see how you’ve used data to drive decisions and improve supplier performance in your previous roles.
Apply Early!:Due to the volume of applications we receive, it’s best to apply as soon as possible. Head over to our website and submit your application to avoid missing out on this fantastic opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at WM Trains
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
As a Senior Category Manager, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of the Fleet category. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities in the rail industry. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to drive procurement strategies and stakeholder engagement.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
During the interview, highlight your negotiation experience and provide specific examples of successful procurement cycles you've managed. Discuss how you’ve maintained high-quality documentation and compliance with regulations, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead impactful tendering activities.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've previously engaged with diverse stakeholders, including Finance and IT. Share examples of how you’ve built relationships and navigated change, as this will show your ability to champion procurement governance.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Prowess
Be ready to talk about your analytical skills and how you've used spend data to inform decision-making. Bring examples of how you've developed fit-for-purpose contractual agreements and managed supplier performance, as this will illustrate your advanced ICT skills and commercial acumen.
