Category Manager

Procurement Category Manager

Full-time | 37.5 hours per week | Permanent
Hybrid working (with occasional travel to our Bradford office)

Salary: up to £48,000 depending on experience 

We’re looking for a Procurement Category Manager to join our high-performing team and lead strategic sourcing initiatives that deliver real value.

Reporting to the Senior Procurement Category Manager, you’ll take ownership of a category sourcing pipeline, build strong supplier partnerships, and drive commercial excellence across the business. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact while working in a collaborative, hybrid environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the development and execution of category plans across key categories.
• Drive value through supplier innovation, cost optimisation, and risk mitigation.
• Champion procurement best practices and ensure compliance with procurement legislation and internal policies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business needs and deliver tailored procurement solutions.
• Build and manage supplier relationships to ensure performance, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and support Category Assistants, helping to build capability across the team.
• Monitor market trends and proactively identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience (5+ years) in direct or indirect procurement, with a strong track record in strategic sourcing and contract management.
• Hands-on experience working with JCT contracts, particularly within property-related procurement.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and drive collaboration.
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Experience managing complex procurement projects and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Knowledge of UK procurement legislation (PCR 2015 & Procurement Act 2023) and contract law.
• Degree-qualified in a relevant field; CIPS membership (or working towards) is desirable.
• Experience in property procurement is a preferred, but not essential.

Why Join Us?

Be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values innovation, integrity, and impact.

Enjoy flexible hybrid working and a supportive team culture.

Access to professional development opportunities and support for CPD.

Make a real difference by shaping procurement strategies that support long-term success.

Ready to take the next step in your procurement career?

Apply now and help us build a smarter, more sustainable future.

Anchor – a great place to work

Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit providers of care and housing for older people. Our heartfelt ambition is to transform housing and care so everyone can have a home where they love living in later life.

We’re not-for-profit which means every penny we make or save is invested in the people who live with us, the places they live and the people who work here. That means a better standard of care and customer service, better wages, more investment in training and development and improved facilities.

Our values

Every one of us can make a difference to our residents and play a part in shaping homes and services around their needs.

Our Anchor values of being Accountable, Respectful, Courageous and Honest apply to us all, whether you manage colleagues as part of your role or not.

Displaying our values can influence those around us to do the same. We can all be leaders at Anchor and should all be driven by the same customer ethos.  Our Anchor Leadership Framework helps align these values with the skills and behaviours we demonstrate.

A rewarding environment

From health and happiness to finance and your career, we’ll give you all the support you need.

Health & happiness

• Gym, fitness and wellbeing discounts
• Mental health support
• Flexible working options
• Access to online GP appointments

Finance

• Pension plan – contribute between 4% and 8% and we’ll match it or better
• Quick and easy pension transfer service
• Savings and financial advice, loans, free life assurance
• Discounts on shopping, holidays, phones, technology and more

Career

• Ongoing personal and professional development programme
• Leadership Pathways online learning resources
• Career progression and promotion opportunities

To see our full range of benefits, check out our dedicated being well website Please follow the link or copy and paste https://anchorbeingwell.co.uk/ into your browser 

Celebrating diversity, celebrating you

Anchor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aim to celebrate diversity and inclusion in all that we do, as we know that the more diverse our colleagues are, the better care and support we can give to our residents and each other.  

We are proud to have an LGBT+ group for our residents, and also Disability, LGBT+ and race and ethnicity colleague networks. These work to celebrate diversity, address concerns, review policy and practice and empower their members.  We also have an Inclusive Ambassador network to allow all colleagues to be part of promoting diversity and to be an ally to others.

We are a Gold Standard Inclusive Employer, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, Menopause Friendly and a signatory to the Care Leaver Covenant, HouseProud Pledge and Age Friendly Employer Pledge schemes.