Contracts & Category Manager

Purpose of role: Responsible for the robust and assured delivery of procurement activity with a given area. Work with internal stakeholders to ensure we receive best value across all our spend categories with the value creation framework model. Management of current contracts to ensure SLA's are being met

Main Accountabilities:  Overseeing procurement functions undertaken in house, or in partnership within a major spend category  Category management - including supplier performance, reporting, change and risk management. Assist the business in defining preferred supplier lists, key supplier relationships and undertaking market engagement.  Contracts- advising and support the tender process from developing scopes of work with specialists, through to contract award and contract negotiations and ongoing management to exit.  Support the business to identify and document the scope of buying activity, including identifying the most efficient route to procurement, while ensuring compliance with relevant frameworks.  Partner with other group partners to ensure 'no surprises' through the process and efficient process to contract signature.  Support the roll-out of new procurement tools and involvement in other ad-hoc tasks

Knowledge, experience and skills:  Solid experience working in procurement  Direct responsibility for preparing tender documents and running tender processes, including e-tenders.  Direct responsibility for contract negotiation and expeditious closeout and award.  CIPS qualified preferred

Capabilities (aligned to key capabilities of the role, team or organisation):  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build relationships with suppliers, across the business and with other stakeholders  Be comfortable engaging in a number of projects running simultaneously as well as planning future workload  Highly organised and detail orientated, whilst also delivering to tight deadlines  Ability to demonstrate a customer-focused approach to service delivery  Being willing to challenge in a positive way to ensure the best outcome for the business