Commercial Category Lead (12 Month Maternity Cover)
Location: Cambridgeshire (Hybrid - 2-3 days onsite)
Employment: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract
This is an opportunity to join a highly respected public sector organisation delivering essential regional services, supporting a growing commercial and procurement function during an important period of development.
The organisation has built a strong reputation for collaboration, continuous improvement, and community impact, offering a stable and supportive environment where procurement professionals can make a genuine difference whilst continuing to develop their careers.
Due to maternity leave, the organisation is now seeking an experienced Commercial Category Lead to join the team on a 12 month fixed-term basis.
The Role
As a Commercial Category Lead, you will take ownership of end-to-end procurement and commercial activity across a broad range of spend areas, supporting stakeholders throughout the full procurement lifecycle.
This is a highly stakeholder-focused role requiring someone confident working closely with operational teams, providing guidance and support to individuals unfamiliar with procurement processes, whilst ensuring activity remains compliant, commercially effective, and aligned to public sector regulations.
You will work closely with internal departments, suppliers, and wider public sector partners to deliver value-for-money procurement solutions in line with Procurement Act legislation and best practice.
Commercial Category Lead Responsibilities
* Manage the full procurement lifecycle from sourcing strategy through to contract award and management
* Deliver compliant procurement activity in line with Procurement Act 2023 and public sector regulations
* Provide commercial advice and procurement guidance to internal stakeholders
* Identify savings opportunities and support value-for-money initiatives
* Support supplier performance management and commercial risk mitigation
* Utilise e-tendering portals and procurement systems to manage compliant tender activity
* Support collaborative procurement opportunities with wider public sector organisations
* Ensure procurement documentation and contract records remain accurate and audit compliant
* Deliver procurement awareness and guidance sessions to internal teams
Commercial Category Lead Benefits
* Flexible hybrid working model with strong work-life balance
* Opportunity to work within a stable, purpose-driven public sector organisation delivering essential regional services
* Broad, varied procurement exposure across multiple spend categories and stakeholders
* Supportive and collaborative team environment with ongoing professional development opportunities
Commercial Category Lead Requirements
This role would suit someone who:
* Has strong public sector procurement experience (essential)
* Has experience managing end-to-end procurement and contract management activity
* Is confident supporting and influencing non‑procurement stakeholders
* Has strong knowledge of Procurement Act 2023 and PCR2015 regulations
* Is comfortable operating within a hands‑on, operational procurement environment
* Can work autonomously whilst collaborating within a small commercial team
* Experience within local government, healthcare, utilities, housing, or other regulated public sector environments
* Experience using e‑tendering platforms such as Delta, Contracts Finder, Find a Tender, or similar systems
* Knowledge of social value, sustainability, and ethical procurement practices
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