Procurement Category Specialist - Global Engineering & Industrial OrganisationLocations: Manchester / Surrey / Yorkshire (Hybrid: 2 days per week on site)Salary: £50,000–£56,000 +Discretionary bonus + excellent benefitsCategory Spend: c. £50mStep into a high-impact role within one of the world’s most respected engineering organisations, operating at the cutting edge of chemicals, gases and technical manufacturing. This is a standout opportunity for a rising procurement professional looking to accelerate their career within a complex, strategic, and commercially critical category.You will manage end-to-end procurement activity across special gases, packaged gases, electronic gases and chemicals, blending strategic category ownership with hands-on delivery. Expect exposure to high-value negotiations, supplier optimisation, cross-functional stakeholder influence, and international collaboration across EMEA.If you’re driven, commercially sharp, and ready to develop into a true category leader, this role will give you depth, visibility, and progression you won’t easily find elsewhere.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and deliver category strategies aligned to business priorities, productivity targets and risk mitigationLead value improvement initiatives (cost optimisation, alternative sourcing, process efficiencies, value engineering)Build, develop and manage supplier relationships, driving continuous improvement and innovationIdentify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support category growth and resilienceNegotiate pricing, commercial terms and contract agreementsConduct robust market and supply analysis to monitor trends, regulation, and competitive positioningEnsure strong governance, contract compliance and risk managementOversee procurement lifecycle activities including contract drafting, review and executionManage supplier KPIs and performance reviews, implementing corrective actions where necessaryChampion total cost of ownership thinking and challenge historic practicesWork closely with supply chain, logistics, planning and operations teams to support business continuityEngage with senior leaders (Finance, BU Heads, Operations, Supply Chain) to align procurement strategy and deliveryCollaborate across EMEA/global procurement networks to leverage best practice and scale advantagesAbout You:You’re a proactive, curious and commercially driven procurement professional with foundational experience and a desire to develop into a strategic category leader.Essential:3–5 years’ procurement experience (direct spend)Confident stakeholder engagement and influencing skillsProven experience supporting both tactical and strategic procurement activityStrong negotiation ability and commercial acumenComfortable navigating complex environments with multiple prioritiesExposure to international suppliers or multi-regional marketsDesirable:Experience within chemicals, industrial gases, special gases, technical or engineering categoriesDegree or equivalent professional experienceCIPS qualification (or currently studying)Understanding of contract drafting and managementBackground in industrial, manufacturing or engineering environmentsWhat’s on Offer£50,000–£58,000 base salary10% annual bonusHybrid working (2 days per week on site)Occasional UK travel (minimal global travel)Meaningful ownership of a specialist, high-value categoryClear progression path into a senior procurement positionWhy This Role?Visibility: Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-makingGrowth: The organisation actively develops procurement talent into senior rolesScale: Work within a global function and learn best practice from a world-class procurement networkImpact: Every project you deliver will be measurable, commercial, and business-criticalInterview ProcessInitial 30–45 min call: CV overview, motivations, capability alignmentFinal panel interview: Technical, behavioural, and scenario-based assessmentReady to Take the Next Step?If you’re ambitious, commercially minded and excited by the prospect of owning a technical, high-value category in a global engineering business, we’d love to hear from you. This role offers genuine development, senior support, and the opportunity to make a visible impact from day one.Apply now and build a procurement career with scale, purpose and progression.