This is a permanent vacancy that will close in 22 days at 23:59 BST.
The Vacancy
Job Title: Category Manager
Location: Hybrid working - home / office, with travel as required
Hours of Work: 40 hours/week, typically Monday – Friday – some flexibility may be required
Job Purpose
The Category Manager will be responsible for managing City Groups’ (UK & Ireland) supplier relationships, including all PPM and reactive suppliers within a given customer contract.
This role requires strategic thinking to support the development and implementation of procurement strategies that ensure cost efficiency, quality, and supplier reliability. Responsibilities include managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to meet City and client objectives.
The role involves working within the supplier management team, coordinating with procurement operations to drive supplier compliance, and supporting sourcing activities. Collaboration with store operations teams is essential to monitor emerging issues with suppliers.
You will establish oversight and assurance processes, utilizing data-driven insights to monitor supplier performance, legal or regulatory compliance, due diligence, and financial control.
A key aspect of the role is leading City’s supplier management improvement program, owning supplier performance, embedding governance aligned with procurement best practices, and setting targets to maximize value from supplier relationships. Building partnerships for innovative solutions and continuous improvement is also crucial. Out of hours support may be required.
Key Accountabilities
* Manage supplier relationships and contract delivery for assigned suppliers
* Build engagement and trust with City’s customers, responding promptly to requests and using scorecards to demonstrate achievement of targets
* Support category strategy development
* Implement a supplier audit regime to ensure compliance with health and safety and other standards
* Work with customers to set and align annual budgets
* Act as escalation point for supplier issues
* Monitor spend versus budget, challenge overruns, and coordinate with finance
* Conduct in-store visits and liaise with senior clients on issues
* Manage budgets to optimize value and minimize costs without compromising service
* Review management information to ensure KPI/SLA delivery and statutory compliance
* Lead supplier service reviews and investigate escalations to ensure remedial actions
* Communicate breaches or escalations to senior management
* Implement escalation and incident management processes
* Lead performance improvement plans
* Promote a culture of safety and ensure reporting of hazards
* Coordinate contract mobilization with sourcing and onboarding teams
* Support supplier development for efficiencies and innovation
* Align with performance management programs and identify process improvements
* Ensure a unified approach when dealing with suppliers across the business
* Manage delivery of objectives in line with business strategy
* Work with finance to ensure contract charges are accurate and support budget reviews
* Contribute to the company’s P&L through in-contract savings
People Responsibilities
The Category Manager will not have direct reports but will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients, procurement, and operations teams.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge
* 5+ years’ experience in procurement or supplier management
* CIPS qualification or equivalent preferred
* Knowledge of maintenance services in FM industry is desirable
* Experience in multi-site contracted environments preferred
* Industry knowledge in retail, hospitality, or customer service is a plus
Skills
* Strong commercial and supplier management skills
* Ability to collaborate across teams
* Strategic procurement mindset
* Relationship building and stakeholder influence
* Analytical and problem-solving skills
* Contract understanding and service delivery awareness
* Excellent communication skills at all levels
* Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
* High strategic and commercial acumen
Experience
* Delivering supplier management programs in large organizations
* Senior supplier and contract management experience
* Negotiating significant contracts
* Managing supplier relationships and resolving issues
* Analyzing financial data for decision-making
* Building relationships with stakeholders and suppliers
* Managing regional multi-site suppliers
* Budget management experience
Behaviours
* Progressive: communicate targets, encourage innovation, welcome challenge
* Tenacious: focus on ambitions, lead and empower
* City values: invest in culture, live values, collaborate, support, praise
* Trust: act with integrity, transparency, and openness
The Company
Founded in 1985 by Willie and Susan Haughey, City Refrigeration Holdings has grown into a global facilities management leader, employing over 12,000 people across multiple continents. The company emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and long-term partnerships, offering diverse services across various markets, rooted in its founding values of professionalism, quality, and customer service.
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