Category Manager

Summary

Salary: £51,356 \- £54,495 per annum

Location: Civic Centre

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

Category: City Council (External Vacancy)

Closing Date: 14/07/2026

Reference: 0000026734

Description

Directorate: Resources
Section: Procurement \& Commercial Services
Location: Civic Centre
Grade: Level 14
Salary: £51,356 \- £54,495 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to both internal and external applicants.

About us:

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke\-on Trent City Council is more than just a job, it's about making, protecting and improving the services forthe local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision.

Stoke\-on\-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke\-on\-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high\-quality services that our residents need.

Further information on the Council and our directorates

The Role:

Join a high\-performing Procurement \& Commercial Services team responsible for supporting the Council’s strategic priorities through effective procurement, category management and commercial leadership.

You will lead procurement and category management activity across designated spend areas, working with stakeholders to develop category strategies, deliver complex procurement projects and maximise commercial value.

The role offers significant exposure to senior leaders and the opportunity to influence major procurement decisions across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to help shape the future direction of commercial services within the Council whilst contributing to service improvement, financial sustainability and social value delivery.

Proposed interview date 20th/21st July

KeyResponsibilities:

• Lead strategic procurement and category management activity across designated spend areas


• Develop and implement category strategies that support organisational priorities and financial objectives


• Deliver complex procurement projects in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations


• Build effective relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and partners to maximise commercial value


• Identify, manage and mitigate commercial, contractual and supply chain risks


• Contribute to savings delivery, social value outcomes and continuous improvement across the Council

• MCIPS Level 6 qualified, or equivalent relevant experience with a commitment to achieve MCIPS


• Significant experience delivering complex procurement and sourcing projects across at least one of our four key category areas of Housing \& Works, People Services, City Management \& Corporate Services


• Strong knowledge and hands on experience of public sector procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023


• Excellent commercial, analytical and negotiation skills


• Experience influencing stakeholders and developing effective working relationships


• A proactive, collaborative approach with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes and continuous improvement

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent


• Hybrid and flexible working options


• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme


• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

For more information on the role, please contact the Recruiting Manager Kirsty Fairbanks, Kirsty.Fairbanks@stoke.gov.uk

Pre\-Employment Checks:

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre\-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK


• Proof of address


• Satisfactory references


• Occupational Health Clearance


• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations


• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

No agency terms and conditions accompanying any such CVs will be accepted by the Council.

Any unsolicited information sent by an employment agency will be treated as the property of the Council.

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and InclusionAt Stoke\-on\-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.

To Apply

If you have any queries or want an application form in another format, please email recruitment@stoke.gov.uk or call us on 01782 238189\.

In order to apply for this vacancy, you must be able to supply the required answers to the following questions:

• Do you have the Right to Work in the UK?

This listing is from indeed. View original listing ↗