Procurement Category Manager (3 posts)

Salary details: £ - £

We are looking for a motivated and commercially focused Category Manager to join our growing Procurement team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering the Council's procurement objectives by leading end-to-end procurement activity across a diverse portfolio of goods, services and works. Working closely with stakeholders across the organisation, you will develop and implement procurement strategies that deliver value for money, social value, innovation and service improvement.

You will provide expert procurement advice and guidance to internal stakeholders, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, Council Standing Orders and internal governance requirements while helping services achieve their operational and strategic objectives.

What You Will Be Doing

• Delivering directorate procurement strategies through effective procurement planning and sourcing activity.
• Developing project-specific procurement strategies that achieve value for money and support service objectives.
• Leading end-to-end procurement processes, including tendering, evaluation, contract award and mobilisation.
• Conducting market engagement activities to understand supplier capability, identify innovation and inform procurement approaches.
• Working with service areas to develop outcome-focused specifications and robust evaluation methodologies.
• Leading and facilitating supplier evaluations and moderation sessions to support transparent and compliant decision-making.
• Managing procurement pipelines and ensuring projects are delivered in line with service priorities and timescales.
• Providing expert advice on procurement legislation, policies and best practice.
• Supporting the delivery of social value outcomes and sustainable procurement objectives.
• Working collaboratively with contract managers to support effective contract mobilisation and ongoing contract performance.
• Building positive relationships with suppliers, stakeholders and regional procurement partners to promote collaboration and continuous improvement.

About You

You will be an enthusiastic procurement professional with experience managing procurement projects within a public sector or regulated environment.

You will bring:

• Experience delivering end-to-end procurement exercises and sourcing activities.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations, including the Procurement Act and Public Contracts Regulations.
• Experience developing procurement strategies and delivering value for money outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience using market intelligence and supplier engagement to inform procurement decisions.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to evaluate financial, procurement and market data.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Qualifications

• Working towards CIPS Level 4 qualification or equivalent procurement experience.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a modern and ambitious procurement function.
• Play a key role in delivering value and improving services for our communities.
• Develop your procurement expertise across a broad range of categories and projects.
• Work collaboratively with experienced colleagues and stakeholders across the Council.
• Access opportunities for professional development and career progression within procurement.

Provisional Interview Date: Week Commencing 27th July 2026

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.