Category Specialist (Strategic)

Location: Buckinghamshire
Reports to: Head of Procurement

Purpose of the Role

As a Category Specialist (Strategic), you will be responsible for managing and optimising strategic sourcing activities across assigned procurement categories.

Working closely with internal stakeholders and key suppliers, you will develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives, driving value creation, mitigating supply chain risk, improving supplier performance and supporting the long-term development of a resilient and competitive supply base.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term category strategies to deliver cost savings, improve quality and on-time delivery, and reduce supply chain risk.

• Conduct market analysis, benchmarking and supplier assessments to identify sourcing opportunities, including opportunities for supplier rationalisation.

• Lead RFx processes, including RFI, RFP and RFQ activities, supplier negotiations, cross-functional supplier selection, and contract negotiation and execution for strategic spend categories.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and ensure procurement strategies are aligned with operational and commercial objectives.

• Support the Head of Procurement in managing supplier performance, resolving issues and conducting periodic supplier reviews to ensure contractual compliance and drive continuous improvement.

• Monitor industry trends, supply chain risks and market developments that may impact sourcing strategies and procurement plans.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Business Units, Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Legal, Finance and Operations, to deliver category initiatives and support wider business objectives.

• Develop and maintain KPIs, dashboards and management reports to monitor and communicate category performance.

• Identify opportunities for sustainability, innovation, productivity and cost optimisation, including PPV improvement.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, applicable industry regulations and ethical standards.

• Analyse market trends and supply chain risks to support informed purchasing decisions and contribute to procurement strategy and planning.

• Lead, coach and mentor procurement colleagues where appropriate, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Competencies

Strategic Thinking

• Strong market and industry analysis skills.

• Ability to develop and implement long-term category strategies.

• Commercial awareness and an innovative approach to sourcing.

Negotiation & Supplier Management

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

• Proven experience in supplier relationship management (SRM).

• Ability to develop effective, strategic supplier partnerships.

Contract Management

• Strong understanding of contract management and commercial agreements.

• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex supplier contracts and framework agreements.

• Ability to identify contractual risks, ensure compliance and drive timely resolution of issues.

Analytical & Financial Acumen

• Strong analytical, data interpretation and reporting capabilities.

• Experience with cost modelling and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

• Good financial and commercial understanding, including productivity and PPV analysis.

Project Management

• Effective cross-functional project management skills.

• Strong organisation and time management.

• A structured approach to problem solving and delivery.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ability to identify, assess and mitigate supply chain risks.

• Understanding of regulatory and procurement compliance requirements.

• Experience developing and supporting contingency and business continuity plans.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building capabilities.

• Ability to influence and persuade effectively at all levels.

Additional Competencies

• Understanding of supplier diversity and sustainability principles.

• Procurement technology and digital competency, including e-procurement and sourcing platforms.

• Awareness of digital transformation within procurement.

• Adaptability, resilience and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

• Strong critical thinking and attention to detail.

• Determination and ability to deliver against challenging objectives.

• Working knowledge of MRP systems and environments.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5–7 years' experience in strategic procurement and sourcing.

• Proven experience contributing to procurement strategy, vision and business objectives.

• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies, contract management and supplier relationship management.

• Excellent analytical, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, particularly in relation to contracts and framework agreements.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering or a related discipline.

• MBA or professional procurement qualification, such as CIPS or CPM, would be advantageous.

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

• Experience supporting the development and improvement of complex supply chains within an engineering and manufacturing environment.

• Experience within the aerospace and/or defence sector would be advantageous.

• Experience working within an MRP environment.

Key Measures of Success

Cost Savings & Value Creation

• Total productivity and PPV savings.

• Savings as a percentage of spend.

• Total Cost of Ownership savings and improvements.

Category Strategy & Business Alignment

• Successful development and execution of category strategies.

• Stakeholder alignment and satisfaction.

• Effective business continuity and supply chain risk management.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Reduction in supply chain risk.

• Supplier performance and contractual compliance.

• Successful completion of regulatory and compliance audits.

• Progress against sustainability objectives.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Adoption of supplier and procurement-led innovation.

• Delivery of continuous improvement initiatives.

• Integration of sustainability and innovation into sourcing strategies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Stakeholder satisfaction and engagement.

• Effective collaboration across Business Units, Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, Legal and Operations.

• Successful delivery of cross-functional procurement initiatives.

Supply Chain Compliance & Governance

• Supplier compliance with Conflict Minerals Reporting (CMRT), Human Trafficking and applicable raw material sanctions requirements.

• Effective governance of critical suppliers.

• Critical supplier risks identified, documented, managed and mitigated.

• Governance actions recorded, monitored and driven through to closure.