At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy for Property and influence key business decisions.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at WM Trains, a leader in the transport sector.
- Benefits: Earn up to £65,000, enjoy free travel, and access great pension plans.
- Other info: Commit to a minimum 14-month role for personal growth and expertise.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in Category Management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Join our growing team as a Senior Category Manager – Property! This is an exciting opportunity to lead category strategy across Property, influence business-wide decisions, and deliver real impact. You'll support and develop colleagues through change, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and lead complex tendering activity under PA23 regulations to secure significant commercial and operational outcomes for WM Trains. As a trusted procurement leader, you'll drive high standards of governance and play a pivotal role in delivering the organisation's strategic contracting objectives. Based onsite 3 days per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Be the procurement expert for the assigned category of Property, ensuring full delivery of the Category Plan and leading a team of 2.
- 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 procurement governance, approve POs where applicable, and support sustainability commitments.
- Lead stakeholder engagement, work with DFTO on key approvals, and contribute to group sourcing strategies to secure best value.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Experienced in Category Management, ideally with public sector experience.
- Advanced analytical ability and confidence with spend data.
- Effective 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.
- 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 Railway 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 - Property in Birmingham employer: WM Trains
As a Carriage Cleaner Supervisor at our Worcester depot, you will join a company that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a strong focus on safety and compliance, we offer a supportive work culture where your leadership skills can thrive, alongside excellent benefits such as a defined benefit pension, free travel for you and your family, and access to a 24/7 Virtual GP service. Our commitment to your development ensures that you will have the opportunity to build expertise and advance your career in a meaningful way.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager - Property in Birmingham
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like WM Trains.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager - Property in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to WM Trains:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to WM Trains. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like WM Trains.
How to prepare for a job interview at WM Trains
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at WM Trains!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at WM Trains. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into WM Trains's culture.
