Senior Category Lead

Job Title: Senior Category Manager
Location: Reading (approximately 3 days per week on-site, flexibility required)
Contract Type: 12-month contract, Outside IR35
Hourly Rate: £75 - £82 per hour

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Category Manager to join a Ministry of Defence (MOD) organisation on a 12-month interim contract. In this role, you will lead Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Contract Management, and Supplier Relationship Management within a sub-group of categories. Your objective will be to secure a robust supplier base to meet both current and future business needs while effectively mitigating risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies that align with business goals and deliver efficiencies.
• Lead strategic sourcing, including RFx processes, supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and supplier selection.
• Provide commercial and contractual management support to ensure contract compliance and value delivery.
• Manage supplier relationships, ensuring performance is monitored, risks are mitigated, and value is developed.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop statements of need and guide procurement processes, particularly for Hard FM (engineering) and Soft FM (cleaning, catering, security).
• Administer contracts according to agreed terms and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management.
• Strong public sector procurement experience, including building tender documents and recommending routes to market.
• Experience in both Hard FM (engineering) and Soft FM (cleaning, catering, security).
• Knowledge of NEC contracts, excluding construction-specific elements.
• Commercial and contract management skills, with a focus on risk management and cost control.
• Ability to support internal customers in developing statements of need and executing market engagement strategies.