Category Manager - Rail

• Category Lead Manager 
• Start date: Immediate
• Duration: 6 months
• £400 – £500 p/d (inside IR35)
• Hybrid working: Remote & 1 day based in Warwick

Our client is a telecommunications company that specialise in projects across rail sector. They currently require a Category Lead Manager to support their procurement team and managing categories of spend across their Rail Projects.

Key Objectives:

• Accountable for managing categories of spend classed as Rail Projects and associated spend with a significant total annual spend of circa £30m.
• Responsible to ensure appropriate use of corporate and functional processes and tools.
• Responsible for management of internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for the creation and implementation of the designated commercial strategies for Rail Projects
• Responsible for the creation of strategies for H/M/L value and complex / non-complex categories
• Responsible for all RFx activities, managing the sourcing process, negotiation and contracting activities for H/M/L value categories and complex / non-complex categories
• Responsible for the evaluation of suppliers as part of supplier on-boarding process and implementation of i Procurement strategy category code management in line with Category strategy
• Responsible for negotiation of flow-down terms for complex agreements
• Responsible for on-going supplier performance and supplier relationship management throughout the contract lifetime, including inputs to risk register and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support input into corporate and functional business continuity and disaster recovery plan.
• Implement legislative and international standards within the supply base.

Deliverables include:

• Responsible for RFx activities for both Bid tenders and Projects including creation and issue of NDA’s
• Production of best-fit contractual agreements with suppliers that fulfil all business requirements, including any flow-down terms
• Responsible for maintenance of Approved Supplier List (ASL) including supplier onboarding and evaluation
• Maintenance of category codes & responsible for creation of i Procurement strategy
• Responsible for identifying classification of supplier and creation of appropriate business review schedule.
• Support with supplier audits and definition of social value contribution
• Responsible for identification of continuous improvement opportunities
• Responsible for completion of Project Lifecycle gateway deliverables in a timely manner

Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in category management in a procurement or commercial environment
• Experienced in people / team management
• Experience in developing category plans and strategy
• Excellent negotiation skills and techniques
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate exceptional stakeholder management approach and skills

Skills/Qualifications: (Attained or working towards)

• Degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline
• Or Professional qualification MCIPS, preferably Chartered status

Essential:

• A track record in driving cost out and driving value up within a Procurement organisation
• A successful track record of following a strategic sourcing / category management methodology

For more information, please contact Scarlet Wilson.