Category Manager

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience By clicking the Accept button, you agree to us doing so. Accept No, thanks Skip to main content Main navigation My B&D Logout Search Search Services Help improve your council website! We're redesigning our website and we'd love your help! Whether you've got two minutes or twenty, every piece of feedback helps us create a better experience. See the surveys available right now Hide Category Manager Apply online About this job If you want to lead procurement that shapes whole markets, improves services and delivers lasting public benefit, this role offers the opportunity to make a strategic difference across LBBD. As Procurement Category Manager, you will own and lead category strategies across your allocated area, working closely with service leads, commissioners, suppliers and partners to turn organisational priorities into commercially robust, legally compliant and outcome-focused procurement and contract management activity. You will manage the category pipeline, allocate work based on value, risk and complexity, and personally lead the most complex Gold procurements. This is a senior, influential role where you will act as procurement business partner to services, providing expert advice, challenge and support on routes to market, commercial models, supplier relationships, risk, savings, quality, social value, sustainability and innovation. You will lead market engagement, provider forums, soft market testing and supplier events to build healthy, competitive and responsive markets that can meet LBBD’s needs. You will also ensure contract and supplier relationship management activity secures the benefits promised at award, drives improved performance and unlocks further savings, efficiencies and wider social, economic and environmental value. By leading a professional category team and embedding strategic, evidence-led commercial practice, you will help LBBD buy well, manage contracts well and secure maximum public benefit from every pound invested.  This vacancy requires experience in category management/procurement in the People category (Adults services, Childrens services, Public Health) Special requirements for this post You should ideally be educated to degree level and hold MCIPS Level 6, or be able to demonstrate equivalent senior procurement experience, technical knowledge and expertise gained in a complex public sector organisation. You will need significant experience of applying UK procurement legislation and procedures in practice, including the Procurement Act 2023, and of leading procurement and commercial activity for contracts of significant value in the People category (Adults services, Childrens services, Public Health). Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing, interpersonal and communication skills are essential, together with the ability to identify commercial opportunities, manage risk, resolve complex issues and provide expert advice at senior levels. Experience of developing category strategies, managing demanding pipelines, leading market engagement, supporting social value outcomes and delivering compliant value for money solutions is important. You will also need experience of managing and developing people, monitoring performance, supporting wellbeing and building capability within a professional team. In return, you will join a service with ambition and influence, leading category activity that helps LBBD deliver quality services, strengthen markets, improve supplier performance and secure maximum public benefit for residents and communities. About you You will be a senior procurement and commercial professional who is motivated by using category leadership to deliver better outcomes for residents, communities and services. You will bring significant experience of procurement, category management and commercial management across contracts of value and complexity, ideally within a complex public sector environment. You