Procurement Category Manager

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 20 April 2026
LOCATION
Leeds
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Mid-Senior level
CATEGORY
Procurement
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Procurement Category Management Contract Management Stakeholder Management Commercial Acumen Negotiation Category Strategy Supplier Relationships

FULL DESCRIPTION

We’re transforming the way procurement works here at [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]. What does that mean for you? That you’ll be at the heart of decision-making and the forefront of our transformation journey.

Our team manages over £2.5billion of indirect/goods not for resale spend, and is on a journey to become a best in class function, with a broad agenda across all areas of procurement from sourcing and cost transformation, through to sustainability and management of some of our most strategic relationships.

With opportunities to join us across multiple levels & various categories including Technology, Marketing, Professional Services, Property & FM and Logistics/Supply Chain, you’ll support a range of commercial activities, dare to find new innovative ways to drive efficiency, and help us get that #2 share in Grocery. So we can offer our customers the best value possible. That’s what it means to put customers at the heart of everything. “Everything About [Employer hidden]” With a turnover of over £20billion every year, over 2 million transactions every month, and around 141,000 dedicated [Employer hidden] colleagues taking care of our customers every day, we're really a place that's got everything – for our customers and your career.

Your Role

If you are a Procurement expert who will enjoy the responsibility of delivering transformation activity, and helping ensure a best in class cost base within your assigned categories then this could be the opportunity for you.

You will lead the development and implementation of category strategies by providing thought and commercial leadership to cross functional colleagues and collaborating effectively in a complex environment.

The category teams need to be able to provide credible commercial guidance in often complex scenarios for categories that directly impact on operational capability so you will be exceptionally commercially astute with strong communication and negotiation skills

Although prior experience in a relevant category role would be desirable, we are open to applications from individuals with an interest in switching categories in order to progress career development.

We are interested to speak to Category Manager candidates for various categories including strong indirect/GNFR generalists.

The Specifics

  • Develop category strategies to build and maintain a pipeline of delivery opportunities.
  • Influence and collaborate with stakeholders to drive forward category initiatives
  • Lead on major business investments and executive priorities within the relevant function.
  • Manage end-to-end sourcing activities
  • Contribute to our cost and cash programme.
  • Create & maintain successful supplier relationships and develop future strategic partnerships

“Let's find out about you”

  • Proven experience in Procurement/Category Management.
  • Adept at applying a variety of commercial approaches to deliver real value for the business
  • Skilled in crafting and managing complex contracts.
  • Adept at balancing and anticipating the needs of various stakeholders.
  • Experience in influencing senior levels within a large organisation.
  • Agile and adaptable to support business needs in a dynamic transformation environment.
  • Personal drive to deliver at pace whilst working on a wide range of projects

Category Specifics

Although we are looking to recruit great procurement generalists, experience in the following category areas would be desirable, although not essential:

  • Marketing – Creative and Production Agencies, Print and Point of Sale
  • Logistics – Transport, Warehousing Fulfilment & Consolidation, International Freight, Automation & fleet
  • Corporate services – Legal, BPO, Banking & Financial Services
  • Property – Facilities Management, Construction, Fixtures & Equipment
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