Category Manager in Walsall, West Midlands (County)

Main purpose of the job role:

To adopt a customer focused approach to directly lead on, or support Category Specialists and Assistant Category Specialists, on end-to-end procurement, commercial and contracting strategies for goods, works and services within a nominated category of spend. To work with Stakeholders to achieve overall value for money and compliance,

Categories include:

Construction/FM/Adult Social Care/Waste

Abilities/Skills

• Ability to analyse, interpret and present data covering verbal, graphic, numeric and statistical information and involving risk assessment targeted to specific audiences
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with strong organisation and time management skills and being able to adapt to changing workload demands and organisational priorities
• Ability to work on own initiative with flexibility and adaptability as well as being an excellent team player and being capable of working collaboratively
• Interpersonal/communication skills, oral and written involving the production of reports and the ability to supervise, mentor and motivate others, focussing on achieving results and quality outcomes
• Ability to negotiate and influence skills to deliver desired outcomes
• Ability to work at senior levels within an organisation as well as with a range of professional and community members, sometimes in situations of tension and conflict
• Interpretation of local and national policies and legislation and ability to assess the local impact and consequences for procurement
• Ability to draft contracts and contract-related information

Knowledge/Experience

• Extensive knowledge of how to collate and deliver an annual category procurement plan involving different tendering processes
• Knowledge and understanding of different forms of contract 
• Knowledge of public sector procurement legislation 
• Detailed knowledge and demonstrable evidence of deploying the range of established sourcing routes (e.g. compliant frameworks and FTS routes to market) available for contracts to support public sector or complex organisations in the delivery of services

Qualification

• Level 5 professional qualification in relevant field OR equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development and willingness to undertake in role
• Leadership training or willingness to undertake management and supervisory training within 12 months of coming into post
• Project Management Qualification e.g. Prince 2
• Contract Management Training - Government Commercial Function Foundation or willingness to complete within 6 months in role

Hybrid working - 1 day on site a month plus site visits when needed.