Professional Services Category Manager
Location: Maidstone – Hybrid Working Model (3 days in office p/w)
Reports To: Head of Procurement and Commercial
Job Purpose
The Professional Services Category Manager will lead category management practices within the Professional Services category. This includes profiling, benchmarking, researching, and assessing the market, risks, competition, trends, and opportunities to ensure continuity of supply and achieve best value. The role requires developing expert-level knowledge of the category at a senior level.
The role involves designing and delivering local commercial strategies and supporting the implementation of national strategies to maximize collaboration opportunities across the Blue Light sector.
The post-holder will co-manage a shared Category Officer resource, prioritize activities within the category, and will be accountable for delivering cashable and non-cashable savings against an annual target.
Key Dimensions
- Delegated Authority: Authorized to sign contractual documentation up to 50% of the Head of Procurement and Commercial’s delegated authority limit.
- Category Management Practices: Utilize tools to profile, benchmark, research, and assess market conditions, risks, and opportunities, aligning local strategies with national priorities.
- Business Strategy Influence: Engage proactively to support business objectives while ensuring suppliers and markets are prepared for optimal value delivery.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Conduct ongoing negotiations, using procurement tools to achieve performance in cost, service, and quality while keeping stakeholders informed.
- Portfolio Management: Prioritize, forward plan, and meet customer and stakeholder needs within the assigned category.
- Procurement Advice: Provide comprehensive procurement guidance, ensuring compliance with regulations and UK Procurement Act directives.
- Procurement Strategy: Develop strategies collaboratively, ensuring compliance, value for money, and alignment with best commercial practices. Lead the transition from tender to contract management, identifying and managing risks throughout procurement and contract lifecycle.
- Savings Delivery: Achieve cashable savings and non-financial benefits against targets. Monitor performance, address deviations, and manage contract levers to maximize value.
Principal Accountabilities
- Develop innovative category strategies at local and national levels.
- Execute procurement processes including tendering (UK & international).
- Draft and manage contracts.
- Maintain procurement tools such as the Agresso system.
- Co-line manage the Category Officer.
Job Context
Planning & Organisation: Analyse spend data to determine priorities within the category workload. Decision Making: Support pre-investment decisions, contract awards, service level agreements, and key performance indicators. Internal Relationships: Collaborate with staff across the organization. External Relationships: Engage with suppliers, contractors, and public sector organizations such as the Home Office and Crown Commercial Services.
Person Specification
Knowledge: Essential:
- Procurement processes, English Contract Law, costing techniques, UK Procurement Act directives, and tendering/re-tendering practices.
- Category management processes.
- Post-award contract management and supplier management expertise.
Desirable:
- Procurement experience within Category Management.
Skills: Essential:
- Negotiation, literacy, numeracy, and IT proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint).
- Ability to plan resources and deliver solutions aligned with commercial strategies.
- Proven motivational leadership skills.
Desirable:
- Familiarity with MSP and PRINCE2 methodologies.
Qualifications: Essential:
- Membership with the Chartered Institute of Procurement or Supply (CIPS Level 4 or higher).
Experience: Essential:
- Professional procurement experience at a senior practitioner level, with 2+ years in public/private sector procurement and/or contract management.
