Group Category Manager

Job Description

The Procurement and Supply Chain Management function is responsible for the interface with those third-party organisations who support our business whether that be for procurement of goods and services or the relationship management that underpins any such activities. They support project delivery teams across the sectors to ensure the strategic direction is identified and delivered

The Group Category Manager will have responsibility for developing and delivering category projects and initiatives across Projects and Business Sectors within Costain Group (direct and indirect). This role will also be involved in supplier relationship management with identified Key, Strategic and Preferred suppliers across selected category areas

The purpose of the role is to implement category strategy initiatives and deliver projects within a category space across the Costain Group, including make/buy assessments, whilst delivering tangible, bottom-line value and benefits to the business resulting from pan-Group Category management. The Category manager will be required to establish and deliver improvements to Project, Business Unit and Sector requirements, including those driven by the future bid pipeline

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in the sector, driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation within the procurement and supply chain functions.

Responsibilities

• Manage appropriate supplier relationships within the category space and assuring contract performance & value delivery
• Develop and manage procurement project category implementation plans and assure effective supplier engagement with Costain site teams
• Manage sourcing projects utilising best of breed tools and techniques to ensure optimised output
• Undertake contract negotiations to ensure that best value is delivered to Costain and will ensure approval of all relevant stakeholders as well as adherence to the Delegation of Authority Manual (DAM) is maintained
• Implement and manage appropriate contractual frameworks to facilitate successful supplier relationships that incentivise best practices and performance from both parties
• Maintain a good understanding of the internal and external supply markets relating to assigned category(ies) as well as best working practices
• Contribute to risk management plans relating to each key supplier and supply chain within the category and maintain such plans relating to procurement project implementation and contract performance
• Contribute to a suitable long term supplier strategy to encompass a view of areas of development, risk and potential conflict over the next three to five years
• Work with Business Development colleagues as required to ensure that key supplier relationships and capabilities are leveraged in bid opportunities
• Be a visible ‘role model’ through your professionalism, commitment and focus
• Promote innovation by bringing a transformational mind-set to the P&SC function, influencing others to build consensus behind initiatives and to challenge the status quo
• Represent the Central Procurement function within the wider Costain P&SC community, sharing and adopting best practice
• Mentor and help the development of Assistant Category Managers
  
  

Essential

QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience of working in a similar level role (Category Manager)
• Demonstrable experience in the sector
• Digital tools and technology optimising procurement and supply chain functions
• Strong experience in a Supplier and/or Project Management, Strategic Sourcing or Category Management role
• Proven track record of commercial negotiation
• Excellent knowledge and experience of change and stakeholder management
• Able to deal with complexity and ambiguity in a changing environment and thrives on problem solving
• High quality communication skills, both written and oral
• Capable of, and comfortable with, instigating positive challenge to traditional ways of working
  
  

Desirable

• Knowledge of Infrastructure Industry Procurement and Supply Chain Operations
• Experience of working within a matrix organisation, with abilities to influence at all levels
  
  

About Us

Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.

Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase.

We do share individual feedback following an interview .

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.

It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.

For more details please go to the Disability Confident website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign