Average Category Manager salary in North London

Job Overview: We are seeking a professional to manage and influence a specific spending portfolio, ensuring our procurement processes are competitive, compliant, and stakeholder-friendly. You will develop effective supply strategies that contribute to cost savings, enhance business efficiency and quality, and foster innovation through supplier collaboration. This role focuses on procuring technology and software, so experience in this specific category is highly beneficial. This is a remote position with occasional travel for meetings. Benefits: 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidaysHoliday trade scheme9% combined pensionFlexible benefits scheme, including an EV leasing scheme Key Responsibilities Manage a spending portfolio of approximately £7-10 million to ensure value for money, compliance, resilience, and supplier value improvement.Collaborate with the Senior Supply Chain and Procurement Manager to develop and implement a category spend plan that considers stakeholder requirements, business priorities, and risks.Engage with suppliers to address business challenges through competitive processes and prepare contract documentation for review and approval.Negotiate agreements and service levels to ensure maximum value and compliance with legal and business development requirements.Support bid teams in the supplier selection process, helping to identify suppliers from the company's portfolio.Provide commercial input and practice excellent contract management with suppliers.Work closely with stakeholders to ensure a stakeholder management plan is in place and delivered, fostering positive relationships and compliance.Conduct supplier performance reviews and provide ad-hoc training on document completion.Offer excellent commercial advice related to procurement and supply chain activities, providing solutions.Actively participate in the development of the supply chain and procurement function, supporting policy, process, and performance changes with prompt progress reporting. Preferred Skills and Qualifications Essential Experience managing procurement projects within the IT category.Proven track record of continuous improvement in value and costUnderstanding of the use and value of technologyExperience working closely with stakeholders and/or suppliers to deliver projects on timePurchasing qualification or willingness to work towards oneNegotiation skillsSupplier relationship management experienceAnalytical skillsAbility to quantify and manage riskDriving license and ability to travel throughout the UK

Are you ready to lead category growth and make a real impact in one of the UK’s most dynamic Food businesses? The Advocate Group are looking for an experienced and driven Category Manager to spearhead growth for one of the businesses most high-profile channels. In this key role, you’ll build influential customer relationships, deliver innovative category strategies, and drive market-leading results… up for the challenge? Key Responsibilities: Build and maintain strong relationships with customersDevelop and implement a one-year category growth plan aligned with the 3-year vision.Innovate the brands fixture for future trends and increased consumer engagement.Oversee range, distribution, space, and availability to drive category performance.Turn data insights into actionable plans for both customers and internal teams.Collaborate with brand marketing and innovation teams to shape category strategies. Essential Experience: Proven category management experience in high profile accounts (food or beverage)Strong influencing and relationship-building skills.Proficiency in space planning and category performance tools (e.g., JDA, Nielsen, Kantar).Track record of delivering annual category growth plans and business results. If this opportunity excites you, I’d love to hear from you! For more details or to discuss how we can support your career, please get in touch with John, or click “Apply Now” to be considered. The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

Job Overview: We are seeking a professional to manage and influence a specific spending portfolio, ensuring our procurement processes are competitive, compliant, and stakeholder-friendly. You will develop effective supply strategies that contribute to cost savings, enhance business efficiency and quality, and foster innovation through supplier collaboration. This role focuses on procuring technology and software, so experience in this specific category is highly beneficial. This is a remote position with occasional travel for meetings. Benefits: 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidaysHoliday trade scheme9% combined pensionFlexible benefits scheme, including an EV leasing scheme Key Responsibilities Manage a spending portfolio of approximately £7-10 million to ensure value for money, compliance, resilience, and supplier value improvement.Collaborate with the Senior Supply Chain and Procurement Manager to develop and implement a category spend plan that considers stakeholder requirements, business priorities, and risks.Engage with suppliers to address business challenges through competitive processes and prepare contract documentation for review and approval.Negotiate agreements and service levels to ensure maximum value and compliance with legal and business development requirements.Support bid teams in the supplier selection process, helping to identify suppliers from the company's portfolio.Provide commercial input and practice excellent contract management with suppliers.Work closely with stakeholders to ensure a stakeholder management plan is in place and delivered, fostering positive relationships and compliance.Conduct supplier performance reviews and provide ad-hoc training on document completion.Offer excellent commercial advice related to procurement and supply chain activities, providing solutions.Actively participate in the development of the supply chain and procurement function, supporting policy, process, and performance changes with prompt progress reporting. Preferred Skills and Qualifications Essential Experience managing procurement projects within the IT category.Proven track record of continuous improvement in value and costUnderstanding of the use and value of technologyExperience working closely with stakeholders and/or suppliers to deliver projects on timePurchasing qualification or willingness to work towards oneNegotiation skillsSupplier relationship management experienceAnalytical skillsAbility to quantify and manage riskDriving license and ability to travel throughout the UK