Category Manager - HR & Professional Services
Location: Birmingham (Hybrid - 2 days in office + flexibility required)
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 + benefits
About the Opportunity
Are you an experienced Category Manager with a strong background in HR and Professional Services procurement?
We're partnering with a repeat client of ours to recruit a commercially astute procurement professional to take ownership of a key indirect spend area, driving value, strengthening supplier relationships, and delivering strategic sourcing initiatives.
The Role
As Category Manager, you will take ownership of HR and Professional Services spend, leading sourcing activity and ensuring best-in-class supplier management across a diverse vendor base.
You will be responsible for delivering value through effective procurement strategies, robust contract negotiations, and strong supplier partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end sourcing and category management activity across HR and Professional Services
- Develop and implement category strategies aligned to business objectives
- Manage tender processes (RFPs/RFQs), ensuring competitive and compliant outcomes
- Negotiate and manage supplier contracts to secure favourable commercial terms
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes and governance
- Produce clear MI, reporting, and insights on supplier performance and category spend
About You
We're looking for a commercially astute procurement professional who brings strong experience within HR and/or Professional Services categories. You will combine strong technical procurement capability with excellent stakeholder and supplier management skills, alongside a high level of attention to detail.
Key experience and skills include:
- Proven experience in category management within indirect procurement
- Strong background in HR and/or Professional Services sourcing
- Demonstrable experience leading end-to-end sourcing and tender processes
- Skilled negotiator with a track record of delivering commercial value
- Strong supplier relationship management experience
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary up to £65,000
- Generous annual leave entitlement, increasing with service
- Additional lifestyle and wellbeing benefits
- Inclusive and supportive working culture
- Hybrid working model: mandatory office attendance two days per week
- Flexibility required to attend site for key meetings as needed
- Candidates must be within commutable distance of Birmingham
To apply for the Category Manager position, please click on the apply now button and your CV will be sent directly to the responsible recruiter. We will respond to successful applicants within 7 days, however please feel free to get in touch if you would like any further information about your application.
At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
By applying you will be registered as a candidate with Gleeson Recruitment Limited. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and explains how we will use your data.
