Job Title: Strategic Category Lead Salary: £55,640 - £59,035 per annum (Up to £2,000 Market Forces Supplement) 35 Hours per Week Location: Hybrid - Wildwood, Worcester and Home Team: Commercial Team 2 Permanent roles Worcestershire County Council spends around £705 million each year with external organisations to deliver essential services, infrastructure and support to our residents, communities and businesses. As the Council prepares for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and implements the Procurement Act 2023, we are strengthening our senior commercial capacity. We are therefore seeking two experienced Strategic Category Leads to provide leadership and oversight of high‑value, high‑impact procurement activity across the organisation. These are senior roles with significant influence, operating in complex and politically sensitive environments, and playing a critical role in delivering value for money, quality outcomes and social value. Strategic Category Lead – Place You will lead all commercial and procurement activity across the construction and highways category, ensuring robust governance, strong supplier performance and successful delivery of major programmes and projects. This role would suit an experienced procurement or commercial professional with strong construction contract expertise, potentially with a background as a chartered surveyor, or substantial experience managing construction‑related procurement and frameworks within the public sector. MCIPS or RICS membership is desirable. Key focus areas: Construction and highways procurement strategies Complex works contracts and frameworks Stakeholder and supply chain management Commercial risk, compliance and assurance Strategic Category Lead – People and Corporate You will provide strategic oversight of procurement activity across Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Public Health and Corporate categories, supporting some of the Council’s most critical resident‑facing services. This role requires a proven procurement leader with significant experience of services procurement, particularly within social care or public health, and the ability to operate confidently in highly regulated, high‑risk environments. MCIPS membership is desirable. Key focus areas: Social care and public health commissioning support Market management and sustainability High‑value, high‑risk services procurement Strong partnership working with service leads What both roles have in common As a Strategic Category Lead, you will: Develop and implement category and sourcing strategies aligned to Council priorities and statutory obligations Provide expert commercial and procurement advice to senior stakeholders on complex, high‑risk and high‑value activity Lead complex procurement exercises and frameworks in line with public sector regulations and the Procurement Act 2023 Drive continuous improvement, maximising value, minimising risk and ensuring policy and legislative compliance Present category strategies and recommendations to the Council’s Commercial Board Identify and embed opportunities for innovation, social value and sustainable procurement Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive performance and outcomes Lead, mentor and develop a team of Category Managers and Officers, promoting commercial excellence and professionalism How to apply Please explain how you meet the requirements of the role and how your experience equips you to provide strategic commercial leadership in a complex public sector environment. For further information or an informal conversation, please contact: Samantha Davey, Head of Commercial sdavey2@worcestershire.gov.uk Benefits: You’ll find anoverview of the benefits Worcestershire County Council have to offer on ourwebpage: Some of these offersinclude: Great Holiday Entitlement: As well as bank holidays, you'll get 26 days paid holiday (pro rata for part-time staff). This goes up to 31 days when you have been with us for 5 years. If you get more than 26 days whereyou work now, don't worry because if you join us without a break, we'll matchyour holiday up to 31 days. If you’re successful and want to take advantage ofthis do let us know! Brilliant Pension Scheme: The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is a nationwide, career average pension scheme and is a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government. Professional Learning & Development: We actively encourage learning and development for all our staff should they want to progress further or explore other areas within the organisation. Flexible Working: We are proud to offer hybrid working to provide a better work/life balance where possible. Equality & Diversity: The County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all citizens and celebrates the diversity of all its residents. Application Closing Date: 2nd June 2026 Anticipated Interview Date: W/C 15th June 2026 Attached documents Job description and person spec SCL