Category Manager

Amazing career progression opportunities
- Four weeks of annual leave plus a monthly Accrued Day Off
- Report into the Senior Category Manager

Our client is looking for an excellent procurement specialist/category manager to joint their fast growing Procurement team.

The Category Manager will:

- Develop and implement procurement activities to ensure the sourcing of products and services and resultant contract management are undertaken
- Assist the Senior Category Manager and Head of Sourcing with the implementation of the Category

Management Framework including strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management to deliver supply chain excellence within the applicable sourcing sub stream
- Proactively identify and manage contractual issues with suppliers and other stakeholders and prepare analysis and advice for decision-making
- Develop and use financial data and analytics to understand cost drivers
- Identify and manage potential risks within their category. In conjunction with stakeholders define a supplier performance and relationship management framework that leads to value delivery throughout the contract cycle, with a focus on continuous improvement aligned to customer’s needs
- Promote and maintain productive and collaborative relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders across the category.

Duties and responsibilities:

- Review and analyse appropriate stakeholder and/or supplier sales data and liaise with key stakeholders to develop a detailed understanding of the size of a particular ITS (Invitation to Supply) opportunity and how it fits with targets.
- Create an engagement and communication plan identifying key stakeholders for the sourcing project in line with key pre-defined processes, including site visits.
- Update Category Management Plans in line with pre-defined documentation.
- Define analytical support requirements with key stakeholders and internal expertise.
- Identify, understand and analyse the market in terms of cost drivers, trends, global pricing impacts and reasons for these and incorporate into negotiation strategies.
- Understand and report on issues and opportunities relating to the market in which the ITS will occur and make recommendations, in consultation with management.
- Assist senior team members in the development of Procurement Strategies and present strategy at Reference Groups and Procurement Committee (PC) meetings where required.
- Manage the end-to-end ITS process including development of the ITS evaluation plan, ITS specifications and evaluation weighting criteria.
- Ensure probity is maintained and risk mitigated in all sourcing activities and alert management to any issues or concerns.
- Develop and implement a negotiation plan in line with defined documentation requirements.
- Manage all stages in the contract management lifecycle from implementation to ongoing contract management.
- Liaise with customers regarding ongoing contract performance.
- Manage all areas of supplier performance and ensure suppliers meet all contractual obligations.
- Ensure compliance with the risk and governance framework including policies and procedures.

About you:

- Relevant tertiary qualifications, preferably encompassing procurement, supply chain, commerce or business administration, or three years Category Management experience.
- Knowledge of the health sector (desirable)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to acquire information and influence others with diplomacy, tact and discretion and to engage internal and external stakeholders at all levels with respect and confidence. This includes excellent communication and presentation skills and experience presenting to large groups.