Category Lead Manager – Highways Start date: ASAP End date: April 26 Remote working Rate: £450 - £500 p/d (inside IR35) Our client is a leading telecommunications business who specialise in projects across the Highways sector. They currently require the services of a Category Lead Manager to join their team and manage categories of spend within their Highways department. Key Objectives: • Accountable for managing categories of spend classed as Highways and associated spend with a significant total annual spend of circa £20m. • 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 Highways • 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 Telent 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 Desirable: • Effective prioritisation of workload • Successfully managing conflicting approaches and objectives within matrix organisation • Experience of Indirect Procurement within a Procurement department, preferably within above categories • A background in engineering based and/or IT services would be advantageous For more information, please contact Scarlet Wilson.