Category Manager
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
<p>If you want to lead procurement that shapes whole markets, improves services and delivers lasting public benefit, this role offers the opportunity to make a strategic difference across LBBD. As Procurement Category Manager, you will own and lead category strategies across your allocated area, working closely with service leads, commissioners, suppliers and partners to turn organisational priorities into commercially robust, legally compliant and outcome-focused procurement and contract management activity. You will manage the category pipeline, allocate work based on value, risk and complexity, and personally lead the most complex Gold procurements. This is a senior, influential role where you will act as procurement business partner to services, providing expert advice, challenge and support on routes to market, commercial models, supplier relationships, risk, savings, quality, social value, sustainability and innovation. You will lead market engagement, provider forums, soft market testing and supplier events to build healthy, competitive and responsive markets that can meet LBBD’s needs. You will also ensure contract and supplier relationship management activity secures the benefits promised at award, drives improved performance and unlocks further savings, efficiencies and wider social, economic and environmental value. By leading a professional category team and embedding strategic, evidence-led commercial practice, you will help LBBD buy well, manage contracts well and secure maximum public benefit from every pound invested. This vacancy requires experience in category management/procurement in the People category (Adults services, Childrens services, Public Health)</p>
Special requirements for this post
<p>You should ideally be educated to degree level and hold MCIPS Level 6, or be able to demonstrate equivalent senior procurement experience, technical knowledge and expertise gained in a complex public sector organisation. You will need significant experience of applying UK procurement legislation and procedures in practice, including the Procurement Act 2023, and of leading procurement and commercial activity for contracts of significant value in the People category (Adults services, Childrens services, Public Health). Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, influencing, interpersonal and communication skills are essential, together with the ability to identify commercial opportunities, manage risk, resolve complex issues and provide expert advice at senior levels. Experience of developing category strategies, managing demanding pipelines, leading market engagement, supporting social value outcomes and delivering compliant value for money solutions is important. You will also need experience of managing and developing people, monitoring performance, supporting wellbeing and building capability within a professional team. In return, you will join a service with ambition and influence, leading category activity that helps LBBD deliver quality services, strengthen markets, improve supplier performance and secure maximum public benefit for residents and communities.</p>
About you
<p>You will be a senior procurement and commercial professional who is motivated by using category leadership to deliver better outcomes for residents, communities and services. You will bring significant experience of procurement, category management and commercial management across contracts of value and complexity, ideally within a complex public sector environment. You will understand UK procurement legislation, the Procurement Act 2023, local authority governance and Contract Rules, and know how to apply them in a way that is strategic, practical, transparent and focused on public value. You will be confident using evidence, spend analysis, market intelligence, risk insight and stakeholder engagement to shape category strategies, review options, challenge historic approaches and develop innovative routes to market. You will be able to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, commissioners, providers, suppliers and partner organisations, influencing decisions and representing procurement confidently at boards and governance forums. Just as importantly, you will be an inclusive and supportive leader, able to manage, motivate and develop a professional team, set priorities, maintain quality and create a culture of continuous improvement. Above all, you will be a trusted adviser and strategic steward of public funds, focused on securing value for money, service quality, social value, sustainability and measurable public benefit across your category.</p>
About us
<p>Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.</p> <p> </p> <p>Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.</p> <p> </p> <p>Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. </p> <p> </p> <p>We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. </p> <p> </p> <p>Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. </p> <p> </p> <p>We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. </p> <p> </p> <p>#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham. </p> <p> </p> <p>As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.</p> <p> </p>
Additional Information
<p>We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or support at any stage, please contact the Hiring Manager to discuss your needs.</p> <p> </p>