Category Manager - Property

1st Executive Ltd; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement consultancy in Aylesbury seeks a strategic procurement professional to drive procurement strategy and supplier relationships. Responsibilities include managing an addressable third-party spend of approximately £20m and ensuring project targets are met. The ideal candidate will possess a degree or equivalent and a CIPS qualification or equivalent experience in procurement, demonstrating strong analytical and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• CIPS qualified or equivalent procurement experience required.

Responsibilities

• Drive procurement strategy implementation with stakeholders.
• Develop supplier relationships for strategic delivery.
• Manage third-party spend and ensure project targets are met.

Skills

Commercial and contract negotiations

Stakeholder management and communication

Analytical and reporting skills

Understanding of procurement principles

Decision-making

Education

Degree or equivalent

CIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Drive a business partner approach with senior stakeholders, ensuring delivery of professional advice, guidance, and constructive challenge underpinned by expert knowledge of relevant spend areas.

Develop and implement supply chain solutions that align with business goals, are fit for purpose, and deliver tangible benefit and value.

Key Accountabilities

Drive implementation of, and continually review, procurement strategy with key stakeholders to support business objectives.

Develop supplier relationships that support strategic delivery, innovation, continuous improvement, and best practice.

Optimise value and manage risk across third-party spend within the category.

Ensure that agreed project targets are delivered on time and to budget through effective collaboration and project execution.

Educate stakeholders and promote best-practice procurement to maximise benefit and compliance.

Number of Direct Reports

This role has no direct reports.

Covers an addressable third-party spend of approximately £20m and is involved in all major procurements.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Educated to degree level or equivalent.

CIPS (or equivalent) qualified, or qualified by experience in procurement and strategic sourcing roles.

Experience

Solid experience of end-to-end Category Management, including:

• Commercial and contract negotiations
• Demonstrable stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Experience in health and social care.

Knowledge

• Category Management principles.
• Best-practice procurement principles.
• Evaluation, commercial, and risk analysis.
• Change and Project Management.
• Understanding of key commercial contract risks and opportunities.

Specific Skills

• Ability to identify and exploit opportunities for continuous improvement with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Ability to balance value across business priorities (financial, performance, risk, safety, etc.).
• Strong collaborative skills and the confidence to constructively challenge when required.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Timely and confident decision-making.

Interpersonal Skills

• Self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously.
• Fosters collaboration and teamwork.
• Able to establish and maintain high levels of personal and professional credibility at all levels.
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Able to prioritise workloads and manage expectations effectively.

Team Skills

• Team-oriented with a focus on collaboration.
• Able to influence colleagues and teams to support effective procurement decisions.