Group Category Manager

he Opportunity: Group Category Manager

Contract: Permanent

Location: Cannock

The Briggs Equipment Group is a leading provider of asset management and maintenance solutions across the UK and Ireland. If you don't feel like you meet all of the role criteria outlined below please don't let that discourage you from applying.

As Group Category Manager, I will lead the development and execution of Group-wide category strategies that deliver sustainable cost savings, ensuring procurement activities are aligned with business objectives, risk management priorities, and ESG commitments. I will drive sustainable value through strategic sourcing, supplier optimisation, supplier relationship management, commercial optimisation, and the identification of innovative solutions that support long-term business success. Through robust contract management, performance frameworks, and effective stakeholder engagement, I will strengthen governance, enhance compliance, and deliver measurable commercial and operational improvements across the organisation.

The Impact you will have:

• Develop, own and execute category strategies across assigned spend areas, ensuring alignment with Group objectives, operational requirements, risk appetite, and procurement priorities.
• Deliver measurable commercial value through agreed cost reduction, cost avoidance, and value creation initiatives, leveraging strategic sourcing, demand management, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) methodologies.
• Build trusted relationships with key stakeholders across the Group, influencing decision-making, challenging requirements where appropriate, and driving adoption of procurement strategies and best practice.
• Lead complex sourcing projects and commercial negotiations, securing competitive, sustainable, and risk-managed supplier agreements that maximise value from Group purchasing activity.
• Own the end-to-end contract lifecycle, ensuring robust commercial governance through effective contract management, service level agreements (SLAs), performance measures (KPIs), and risk controls.
• Ensure full compliance with procurement policies, regulatory requirements, competition law, ethical sourcing standards, and Group governance frameworks.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supplier risks, including financial, operational, cyber security, sustainability, and reputational risks, to protect business continuity and supply resilience.
• Champion ESG and responsible sourcing principles, embedding sustainability considerations into procurement decisions and supporting the Group's environmental, social, and governance objectives.
• Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and innovation reviews to identify emerging trends, unlock efficiencies, and create competitive advantage across assigned categories.
• Utilise procurement systems, digital tools, and data analytics to enhance sourcing effectiveness, improve supplier performance management, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement of procurement policies, processes, and governance frameworks, ensuring consistency, compliance, and operational excellence across the Group.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Assistant Category Manager, fostering a high-performance culture, building procurement capability, and ensuring successful delivery of category objectives and strategic initiatives.

What will help you to excel in this role:

• Proven track record of developing and implementing category strategies within complex, multi-site organisations, delivering measurable commercial, operational, and service improvements.
• Highly effective at influencing and challenging stakeholders at all levels, driving informed commercial decision-making and securing alignment on strategic procurement initiatives.
• Demonstrated history of delivering significant cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation through strategic sourcing, supplier optimisation, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation, and contract management expertise, with a focus on balancing commercial value, service performance, and risk mitigation.
• Advanced analytical and commercial capability, with extensive experience in spend analysis, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modelling, market benchmarking, business case development, and data-driven decision-making.

What you can expect from us:

• Competitive salary package, with a negotiable base salary dependent on skills, experience, and expertise.
• Company Vehicle
• Management bonus
• Excellent career development opportunities, with access to ongoing training, professional development, and clear pathways for progression across the Group.
• Contributory pension scheme, with employer contributions of up to 6% to help support your long-term financial wellbeing.
• Profit Share Bonus Scheme, rewarding employees for contributing to the success and performance of the business.
• Paycare healthcare and eyecare benefits, providing support for everyday health and wellbeing needs.
• Access to a range of retail and lifestyle discounts, offering savings across major high street brands, leisure providers, and online retailers.

What's next

If you are interested in joining the Briggs Group then please click on the apply now button and a member of the team will be in touch. Not sure if this is the right role for you? Please feel free to visit the careers page on our website and send us your CV speculatively for a member of the team to review. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the interview process, then please contact a member of the Recruitment team and inform them prior to attending so we can ensure these are met