Category Manager

Category manager - Defence

6 Months

£Competitive Inside IR35

Bristol

Clearance: Eligible for SC

Category Manager - Defence

We are seeking experienced Category Managers to support a major UK public-sector defence organisation on an initial 6-month contract.

The role offers hybrid working, with one day per week required in the client's Bristol office (Wednesday) and the remainder remote, subject to business requirements.

This role is inside IR35 - Due to the service of the role it will now be based on an Umbrella solution.

The Role

As a Category Manager, you will work within the Category Management function to develop and implement category strategies that support the delivery of complex equipment, services and platforms. You will help improve delivery, capability and availability while driving value and reducing whole-life costs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing category strategies based on customer requirements, market intelligence, supplier capability and wider defence strategy.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders and acting as a trusted commercial and procurement advisor.
• Embedding category management principles across complex programmes and business areas.
• Defining category scope, deliverables, timescales, resources and budgets, and developing associated workstream plans.
• Identifying and prioritising future requirements and procurement opportunities.
• Conducting market analysis, supplier research and industry engagement to identify innovation and potential solutions.
• Producing market intelligence and economic analysis to inform procurement and category strategies.
• Delivering measurable financial and non-financial benefits through effective category management.
• Identifying and managing commercial, supply-chain and market risks.

About You

You will have:

• Proven experience in category management, strategic procurement or strategic sourcing within a complex organisation.
• Strong commercial awareness and a thorough understanding of the commercial/procurement lifecycle.
• A track record of delivering measurable benefits through category management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including experience engaging with senior leaders.
• The ability to think strategically, make decisions and respond effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience within the defence industry, complex engineering or similarly regulated environments is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of defence supply chains or categories such as autonomous systems, weapons systems, sensing/communications, power, propulsion or auxiliary systems would be advantageous.
• CIPS qualification is desirable.

If you are an experienced Category Manager with a strong and strategic procurement background and are interested in supporting complex defence programmes, we would be keen to hear from you.

If you are interested in the above, hit the Apply now button!

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As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Circle and our Client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

Our client is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, they guarantee to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where they have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, they will interview the best candidates from within that group.

If you qualify, please notify us on igs @circlerecruitment.com. We will be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your guaranteed interview.

Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a better way for us to communicate, please do let us know.

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