Category Manager

Procurement Category Manager

37.5 hours per week - full-time, permanent

As a Procurement Category Manager, you'll report to the Senior Procurement Category Manager, leading the development and execution of a category sourcing pipeline. You will focus on cultivating strategic relationships with suppliers and markets, driving cost efficiencies, and providing expert guidance and support to internal stakeholders through effective engagement.

Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Procurement team in creating organisational excellence in procurement.
• Developing and implementing strategic sourcing initiatives for designated categories.
• Ensuring compliance with contracts and procurement standards in key markets.
• Meeting customer needs by delivering best value for money and exceptional service.
• Proactively engaging with the marketplace, employing key strategies for supplier and contract management.
• Mentoring Category Assistants to optimise procurement spending.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have/be:

• Membership in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent professional body is desirable.
• Experience within facilities management and/or property procurement is desirable but not essential.
• Degree-level qualification in a related field.
• Proficiency in UK Procurement legislation (Public Contract Regulations 2015 & Procurement Act 2023).
• Commitment to continuous professional development (CPD).
• Training in supply chain management, supplemented by relevant specialist courses is desirable.
• Knowledge of UK contract law and dispute resolution.
• Strong statistical and data analysis skills.

Experience & Skills required:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in direct or indirect procurement.
• Extensive purchasing background.
• Proficiency in strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Effective communication with stakeholders.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Advanced negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Previous experience in contract management.
• Demonstrated teamwork, delegation, and empowerment skills.
• Successful project management in complex procurement scenarios.
• Track record of meeting and exceeding targets.
• Management of resources, financial risk, and commercial acumen.
• Sourcing, mapping, and support managing the supply chain.

Anchor – a great place to work

Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit providers of care and housing for older people. Our heartfelt ambition is to transform housing and care so everyone can have a home where they love living in later life.

We’re not-for-profit which means every penny we make or save is invested in the people who live with us, the places they live and the people who work here. That means a better standard of care and customer service, better wages, more investment in training and development and improved facilities.

Our values

Every one of us can make a difference to our residents and play a part in shaping homes and services around their needs.

Our Anchor values of being Accountable, Respectful, Courageous and Honest apply to us all, whether you manage colleagues as part of your role or not.

Displaying our values can influence those around us to do the same. We can all be leaders at Anchor and should all be driven by the same customer ethos. Our Anchor Leadership Framework helps align these values with the skills and behaviours we demonstrate.