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Category Manager

Job Posted: 6 days ago

Salary: £ 45,000 - 50,000 / Annum
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Expire in: 21 days

Job Description

The role oversees end-to-end category management within a technical manufacturing environment, developing sourcing strategies, managing key suppliers, and driving cost optimisation. It combines strategic planning with hands-on procurement activity, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to improve performance and support business growth.

Client Details

Our client is an established manufacturing business known for its strong technical capability and commitment to safety, innovation, and continuous improvement. Operating in a regulated, engineering‑led environment, they combine robust production processes with a forward‑thinking approach to category strategy, supplier development, and operational excellence.

Description

 Your key responsibilities as Category Manager will be:

Category Strategy & Governance

Develop, own, and execute multi‑year category strategies aligned with business objectives.
Lead category planning including cost roadmaps, technology development, and supplier capability assessments.
Segment suppliers into strategic, preferred, development, and exit paths.
Ensure category strategies support sustainability and ESG targets, including net‑zero ambitions.

Sourcing & Commercial Management

Lead major sourcing events, competitive tenders, and complex negotiations.
Develop cost models, should‑cost analysis and long‑term cost‑down plans.
Manage and negotiate long‑term agreements for high‑value or high‑volume components.
Ensure commercial terms, pricing structures, and life‑cycle costs deliver optimal total cost of ownership.

Supplier Relationship & Performance

Build and maintain strong, collaborative supplier relationships across assigned categories.
Lead Quarterly Business Reviews covering KPIs, delivery, quality, and risk.
Drive supplier development initiatives focused on capability, efficiency, and performance improvements.
Ensure supplier compliance with ethical sourcing, Code of Conduct and ESG standards.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Lead the sourcing and supply chain elements of NPI within your categories.
Support DFM/DFA and technical reviews alongside Engineering teams.
Oversee PPAP, sample approvals, tooling readiness and production ramp‑up.
Ensure NPI quotations, capacity plans, lead times and quality commitments are robust and validated.

Risk Management

Identify single‑source issues and implement dual‑sourcing or alternative strategies.
Maintain category‑specific risk registers and mitigation plans.
Support business continuity planning, capacity mapping and geopolitical assessments to ensure supply resilience.

Data, Systems & Process

Maintain accurate category dashboards covering pricing, performance, risk and improvements.
Ensure data integrity across all MRP category information.
Support procurement continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing efficiency and governance.
Profile

 The ideal Category Manager will have:

Deep knowledge of PCBAs (essential) and experience across categories such as plastics, metals, sub‑assemblies or ceramics.
Excellent commercial negotiation skills and experience managing long‑term agreements.
Strong macro‑environmental awareness, understanding geopolitical trends, commodity movements and supply‑chain vulnerabilities, with the ability to translate these into effective risk‑mitigation strategies.
Confident stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to influence cross‑functional teams.
A proactive, structured problem‑solving mindset.
Ability to interpret technical drawings and collaborate closely with Engineering.
CIPS membership or equivalent experience. 

Job Offer

 As Category Manager you will benefit from a competitive package including:

Competitive salary package
Twice‑yearly bonus 
Hybrid working (3 days in the office)
Private medical via Bupa
Life insurance
Flexible working hours + early‑finish Fridays 

Manufacturing and Production

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