via reed · 1 June 2026 ·5 days ago

Category Lead - Indirect

AWD online
Plymouth Full-time
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Indirect Category Lead

A strategic procurement and category management role, leading indirect spend, sourcing, supplier management, contracts, compliance and stakeholder engagement across a complex organisation.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Category Lead, Senior Buyer, Procurement Specialist

SALARY: Competitive + Benefits

LOCATION: Plymouth, Devon, South West England (PL1)

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

JOB OVERVIEW

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for an Indirect Category Lead with strong procurement, category management, sourcing, supplier management and commercial contracting experience.

As an Indirect Category Lead you will lead indirect goods and services spend, creating category strategies, delivering value, reducing supply chain risk and supporting business-wide compliance.

Working closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, the Indirect Category Lead will manage RFx activity, supplier performance, contract lifecycle, spend analysis and continuous improvement across key indirect categories.

APPLY TODAY

Ready to make your next career move? Apply Now for our Recruitment Team to review.

DUTIES

Your duties as the Indirect Category Lead include:

  • Category Strategy: Create, recommend and execute category strategies aligned to business needs and budget owner requirements

  • Indirect Spend Management: Manage total indirect supplier spend, identifying opportunities to deliver sustainable hard and soft benefits

  • Sourcing Activity: Create and deliver RFx activity in line with category strategies, value plans and procurement processes

  • Supplier Negotiation: Negotiate with suppliers to achieve best value, commercial outcomes, compliance and risk reduction

  • Contract Management: Create, negotiate and recommend supplier contracts, managing the contract lifecycle, deliverables and dispute resolution

  • Supplier Performance: Build strong supplier relationships, monitor service levels and support business continuity through proactive risk management

  • Planning and Budgets: Review OPEX and CAPEX demand and supply requirements with stakeholders across different planning horizons

  • Operational Escalations: Own and deliver resolution of operational performance and compliance escalations with budget owners

  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Work collaboratively with departments including Facilities, Legal, Finance, Engineering, Planning, Logistics and Production

  • Compliance: Ensure suppliers operate in line with organisational policies, procedures, code of conduct and performance requirements

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
  • Indirect Category Management: Previous experience in indirect category management within a complex organisation

  • Procurement Knowledge: Strong understanding of procurement, commercial, sourcing, contracting and compliance processes

  • Manufacturing or Engineering Background: Experience within manufacturing, engineering services or a similar operational environment would be beneficial

  • Professional Knowledge: Business, engineering or procurement qualification, or equivalent demonstrated knowledge, with CIPS desirable

  • Project Management: Experience managing procurement projects, category plans, budgets and supplier-related initiatives

  • Analytical Skills: Performance and data driven with good analytical skills and the ability to make informed commercial decisions

  • Systems Skills: Confident using S2P systems, facilities solutions and Microsoft applications including Excel and Word

  • Continuous Improvement: Experience applying continuous improvement methodologies to improve value, performance and compliance

  • Stakeholder Management: Able to lead, collaborate and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels

  • Positive Approach: Brings a positive mindset, uses data to inform decisions and focuses on achieving measurable results

BENEFITS
  • 4.5 day working week

  • Employee discount at local businesses

  • Perks through local sports club partners

  • On-site parking

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV’s of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.

JOB REF: AWDO-P14781

Full-Time, Permanent Jobs, Careers and Vacancies. Find a new job and work in Plymouth, Devon, South West England. Multi-Job Board Advertising and CV Sourcing Recruitment Services provided by AWD online.

AWD online specialise in sourcing candidates and advertising vacancies on multiple job boards for companies on a non-commission basis. AWD online operates as an employment agency.

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