Senior Indirect Buyer - Category Manager

Senior Buyer - Indirects - Indirect Category Manager Oxfordshire Client Details This role is based within manufacturing and is a fast growing business with lots of opportunities Description As Senior Indirect Buyer/ Category Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies across your category portfolio, identifying opportunities to consolidate spend, improve supplier performance, mitigate risk, and deliver sustainable savings. You will lead end-to-end sourcing projects, manage supplier negotiations, and ensure contracts are aligned to business requirements, service expectations, and compliance standards. This is a highly visible role requiring strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to influence decision-making across multiple sites and functions. Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies across multiple indirect category spends and Project-related spend.
• Analyse spend data, market trends and supplier capabilities to identify cost reduction and value creation opportunities.
• Lead sourcing activities including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, tender management, bid evaluation and contract award.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing structures, service levels and contractual terms.
• Identify opportunities to leverage spend and standardise suppliers across multiple locations.
• Manage supplier performance through KPI reviews, SLA monitoring and regular business reviews.
• Drive contract compliance and ensure effective supplier governance.
• Challenge specifications and stakeholder requirements to secure commercially effective solutions.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and act as a trusted procurement business partner.
• Support risk management and business continuity initiatives within the supply base.
• Ensure all procurement activity complies with company policies, governance requirements and regulatory standards. Profile You will be an Indirect procurement professionals who combine strong commercial acumen with excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills. You will ideally have:
• A proven track record working as an Indirect category manager or senior buyer
• Proven success managing indirect spend categories within a multi-site or complex organisation.
• Experience delivering strategic sourcing, tendering and supplier management programmes.
• Strong contract negotiation and commercial evaluation skills.
• Ideally, experience using ERP and procurement systems such as SAP and/or Ariba.
• Advanced analytical skills and confidence working with spend and supplier performance data.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ideally, a degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Engineering or a related discipline.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) desirable.

Job Offer

• Competitive salary + Bonus
• Hybrid working - Oxfordshire
• Opportunity to develop within a growing environment Desired Skills and Experience 🚨 Senior Indirect Buyer / Category Manager | Oxfordshire | Hybrid 🚨 I'm supporting a leading manufacturing business with the appointment of a Senior Indirect Buyer to manage a broad portfolio across Facilities Management, IT, HR, FM, Utilities, EHS and Projects. This is a strategic procurement role where you'll: ✅ Develop and deliver category strategies ✅ Lead end-to-end sourcing and tendering activity ✅ Negotiate commercial agreements and supplier contracts ✅ Drive supplier performance, compliance and cost optimisation ✅ Partner with senior stakeholders across Operations, Finance, HSE, HR and Legal We're keen to speak with procurement professionals who have: ✔️ 5+ years' indirect procurement/category management experience ✔️ Strong sourcing, tendering and supplier management expertise ✔️ Proven track record of delivering savings and value creation ✔️ Experience within manufacturing, industrial or multi-site environments A fantastic opportunity to make a real impact, influence business decisions and drive procurement excellence across a varied indirect spend portfolio. If you're interested or would like to hear more, please get in touch. Procurement CategoryManagement IndirectProcurement Manufacturing SupplyChain FM Utilities Jobs Oxfordshire CIPS