Category Lead

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Category Lead to join their procurement team. This hybrid role entails managing supplier relationships and ensuring the procurement strategy aligns with business needs. Candidates should have at least 3 years of category management experience, strong analytical and project management skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Benefits include generous leave, hybrid working options, and access to various discounts and services.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ability to work from home up to 2 days per week

Unlimited access to refer a friend scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Free counselling and legal services

Qualifications

• 3 years previous experience in category management in goods and services.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support on category queries.
• Manage product and price file updates.
• Proactively manage category suppliers.

Skills

Category management

Project management

Microsoft Office

Communication

Analytical skills

Job description

Overview

Barchester’s procurement team have a new opportunity for a Category Lead to join the Barchester family. Offering hybrid working, with 3 days in our established Warrington office and 2 days working from home.

In this vital position you will provide essential support in the evolvement of the procurement function, supporting our portfolio of 250 care homes and hospitals across the UK. You will work closely with suppliers, ensuring that we have relevant, and up to date data, and services are being delivered as agreed to meet the needs of the business and the procurement strategy. You will also form trusting, professional relationships with internal stakeholders to ensure they can make effective decisions, specifically for your allocated categories. This is a permanent, hybrid position.

Required experience and qualifications

• 3 years previous experience in category management in goods and services
• Experience of managing, reporting, and providing recommendations on a number of projects running simultaneously
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Full UK driving licence

Role and responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day support on category queries
• Manage product and price file updates, communicating changes to the business
• Proactively manage category suppliers and develop a strong performance culture
• Analyse data to create category management approaches that deliver against the business strategies
• Utilise a source to pay system to identify trends and suggest process improvements
• Identify opportunities to deliver value to the business through management of supplier contracts and delivery of competitive tenders
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment in the delivery of the category service with their requirements and expectations
• Support the development of business cases documenting supplier selection strategies
• Deliver projects within agreed timescales

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Ability to work from home up to 2 days per week
• Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
• Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets
• Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need to make a decision with confidence
• Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services

If you’d like to use your procurement expertise in an organisation that provides the quality care you’d expect for your loved ones, this is an empowering and rewarding place to be. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to grow your career in a large organisation with a warm and supportive environment.