Procurement Category Specialist
5 days ago
Category Specialist – Supply Chain & Logistics
Location:
Reading (with flexibility to work from London, Midlands or Oxfordshire offices)
Talent Drive are supporting a leading retail organisation who are seeking a
Category Specialist
to drive sourcing, value creation, supplier strategy and operational excellence across Supply Chain & Logistics categories.
This is a brilliant opportunity for an Senior Buyer / Procurement Specialist to take ownership of strategic spend areas, influence senior stakeholders, and deliver multi year category strategies that improve cost, service, innovation and risk management across Transport & Warehouse categories.
The Role
As Category Specialist, you will:
- Develop and execute category plans aligned to business priorities and market dynamics
- Lead sourcing projects for high value and complex supply chain & logistics contracts
- Create cost saving strategies and support delivery of value and efficiency programmes
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders to align priorities and enable decision-making
- Manage key supplier partnerships to drive performance, innovation and continuous improvement
- Lead or support negotiation strategy and contractual agreements
- Track benefits, monitor performance and support risk mitigation and governance
- Utilise digital tools, insights and analytics to optimise category decisions
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years' experience within procurement
- Proven capability across category management and supplier negotiation
- Experience working in fast paced, matrixed environments (retail or consumer sectors beneficial)
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and ability to influence at senior levels
- Analytical mindset, commercially astute and proactive problem solver
- High level of organisation, prioritisation and communication skills
- Curious, driven and able to deliver outcomes independently
To apply or request more details, please send your CV to for a confidential discussion.
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