Procurement Manager / Category Lead / Direct Spend
| Posting date: | 26 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive + Benefits |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 February 2026 |
| Location: | Plymouth, South West England |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | AWD online |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | AWDO-P14323 |
Summary
Procurement Manager / Category Lead
A strategic procurement opportunity for an experienced professional to lead direct spend categories within a complex manufacturing environment, driving sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and long-term value across cost, quality, and sustainability.
If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you:
Category Manager, Procurement Lead, Strategic Sourcing Lead, Senior Buyer, Direct Spend Category Specialist, Procurement Specialist.
SALARY: Competitive + Benefits
LOCATION: Plymouth, Devon, South West England (PL1)
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
JOB OVERVIEW
We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Procurement Manager / Category Lead to join a growing procurement function within a highly technical manufacturing organisation. This is a key role with real influence over sourcing decisions and supplier strategy.
As a Procurement Manager / Category Lead you will take ownership of critical direct spend categories, developing and delivering robust category strategies aligned to operational and new product development goals. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure supply continuity and value creation.
In this role, the Procurement Manager / Category Lead will lead sourcing activity, supplier negotiations, and contract management while driving data-led decision-making and continuous improvement across the supply chain.
APPLY TODAY
Ready to make your next career move? Apply Now for our Recruitment Team to review.
DUTIES
Your duties as the Procurement Manager / Category Lead include:
• Category Strategy Development: Creating and delivering category strategies aligned to business and NPD objectives
• Sourcing and RFx Management: Leading sourcing exercises, tendering activity, and supplier selection
• Supplier Negotiation: Negotiating commercial agreements to achieve best value across cost, quality, and innovation
• Contract Lifecycle Management: Creating, managing, and resolving supplier contracts from initiation to expiry
• Supplier Relationship Management: Building strong, collaborative supplier relationships and managing performance
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks to ensure continuity of supply
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with Purchasing and stakeholders on demand planning and supply assurance
• Data and Systems Management: Driving data-led decision-making and maintaining accurate procurement master data
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
• Previous experience in category management within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Proven experience of procurement, sourcing, and supplier relationship management
• Experience leading supplier negotiations and managing commercial agreements
• Strong commercial awareness with an analytical and outcome-focused approach
• Confident using ERP and source-to-pay systems alongside Microsoft Office tools
DESIRABLE
• A background in engineering or a technical manufacturing setting
• A business or engineering qualification
• CIPS qualification or working towards professional procurement accreditation
BENEFITS
• Competitive salary package
• 4.5-day working week
• Local employee discount schemes
• On-site parking
• Employee Assistance Programme
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV’s of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.
JOB REF: AWDO-P14323
Full-Time, Permanent Purchasing and Supply Chain Jobs, Careers and Vacancies. Find a new job and work in Plymouth, Devon, South West England. Multi-Job Board Advertising and CV Sourcing Recruitment Services provided by AWD online.
AWD online specialise in sourcing candidates and advertising vacancies on multiple job boards for companies on a non-commission basis. AWD online operates as an employment agency.
awd online | http://www.awdo.co.uk
AWD-IN-SPJ
A strategic procurement opportunity for an experienced professional to lead direct spend categories within a complex manufacturing environment, driving sourcing strategy, supplier performance, and long-term value across cost, quality, and sustainability.
If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you:
Category Manager, Procurement Lead, Strategic Sourcing Lead, Senior Buyer, Direct Spend Category Specialist, Procurement Specialist.
SALARY: Competitive + Benefits
LOCATION: Plymouth, Devon, South West England (PL1)
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
JOB OVERVIEW
We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Procurement Manager / Category Lead to join a growing procurement function within a highly technical manufacturing organisation. This is a key role with real influence over sourcing decisions and supplier strategy.
As a Procurement Manager / Category Lead you will take ownership of critical direct spend categories, developing and delivering robust category strategies aligned to operational and new product development goals. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure supply continuity and value creation.
In this role, the Procurement Manager / Category Lead will lead sourcing activity, supplier negotiations, and contract management while driving data-led decision-making and continuous improvement across the supply chain.
APPLY TODAY
Ready to make your next career move? Apply Now for our Recruitment Team to review.
DUTIES
Your duties as the Procurement Manager / Category Lead include:
• Category Strategy Development: Creating and delivering category strategies aligned to business and NPD objectives
• Sourcing and RFx Management: Leading sourcing exercises, tendering activity, and supplier selection
• Supplier Negotiation: Negotiating commercial agreements to achieve best value across cost, quality, and innovation
• Contract Lifecycle Management: Creating, managing, and resolving supplier contracts from initiation to expiry
• Supplier Relationship Management: Building strong, collaborative supplier relationships and managing performance
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying and mitigating supply chain risks to ensure continuity of supply
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working closely with Purchasing and stakeholders on demand planning and supply assurance
• Data and Systems Management: Driving data-led decision-making and maintaining accurate procurement master data
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
• Previous experience in category management within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Proven experience of procurement, sourcing, and supplier relationship management
• Experience leading supplier negotiations and managing commercial agreements
• Strong commercial awareness with an analytical and outcome-focused approach
• Confident using ERP and source-to-pay systems alongside Microsoft Office tools
DESIRABLE
• A background in engineering or a technical manufacturing setting
• A business or engineering qualification
• CIPS qualification or working towards professional procurement accreditation
BENEFITS
• Competitive salary package
• 4.5-day working week
• Local employee discount schemes
• On-site parking
• Employee Assistance Programme
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details. CV’s of Job Applicants meeting this requirement will be submitted to our Client for consideration. By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.
JOB REF: AWDO-P14323
Full-Time, Permanent Purchasing and Supply Chain Jobs, Careers and Vacancies. Find a new job and work in Plymouth, Devon, South West England. Multi-Job Board Advertising and CV Sourcing Recruitment Services provided by AWD online.
AWD online specialise in sourcing candidates and advertising vacancies on multiple job boards for companies on a non-commission basis. AWD online operates as an employment agency.
awd online | http://www.awdo.co.uk
AWD-IN-SPJ