Category Manager

Category Manager

Location: Skelmersdale
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
Benefits: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, company pension, on-site parking

Job Type: Full-time
Industry: Distribution & Engineering Services

Job Description

We're working with a well-established distribution and engineering services business to recruit a Category Manager for their Procurement & Supply Chain team.

This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a portfolio of predominantly direct spend, with some responsibility for indirect categories. You'll develop and implement category strategies, manage supplier relationships, lead sourcing activities and negotiate commercial agreements, playing a key role in improving cost, quality, service and continuity of supply.

Working closely with colleagues across Procurement, Operations, Engineering, Sales and Finance, you'll help deliver procurement initiatives that support business growth and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies across predominantly direct commodities.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead sourcing activities, RFQs and supplier tenders.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts and commercial agreements.
• Identify cost-saving, value engineering and supply chain improvement opportunities.
• Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Analyse supplier markets, commodity trends and supply chain risks.
• Support new product introductions through supplier selection and sourcing.
• Deliver KPIs relating to cost, quality, service and continuity of supply.
• Ensure supplier agreements comply with company policies and contractual requirements.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across multiple business functions.
• Support wider procurement projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Ideal Candidate

• Minimum 4 years' procurement experience within a manufacturing, engineering or distribution environment.
• Experience managing direct material categories with end-to-end sourcing responsibility.
• Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience developing and implementing category strategies.
• Commercially minded with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable influencing stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Proficient with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• CIPS Level 5 or Level 6 qualified, or working towards, would be advantageous.
• Experience within engineering, industrial distribution or technical products would be beneficial.

Company & Benefits

• £50,000 - £55,000 salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension
• On-site parking
• Ongoing professional development
• UK travel with occasional international travel

How to Apply

If you're an experienced procurement professional looking for a strategic Category Manager role where you can influence sourcing decisions, supplier performance and category strategy, we'd love to hear from you.

For more information, contact Jamie at White Label Recruitment or apply directly via CV Library.