MCS Group are delighted to be working with a Top 10 NI Employer in their search for a Category Manager in their Commercial/Procurement Function. The Role: The Category Manager will be a key member of a highly effective team. You will possess leadership, influence, supplier relationship management skills and sourcing expertise to support your categories. You'll take ownership of your category plans and sourcing strategies to directly support top management decisions and deliver value from external contract spend. Manage a portfolio of contracts to provide continuous service delivery to the business. Manage the tendering of contracts to deliver value for money. This will include developing tender documents, supervising evaluation panels, evaluating pricing, preparing contract award documentation and supporting contracts post-award; Incorporate Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy into tender exercises, this includes social value, human rights and supply chain resilience. Develop and deliver sourcing strategies with a sound grasp of cost structures, trends and cost drivers. Negotiate the best overall commercial arrangements with suppliers selected through robust tender processes in order to contribute to the overall performance, savings and profitability of the business. Mitigate risks and ensure that robust contingencies are in place for business critical goods and services and support the business when service or supply issues occur. Provide procurement leadership at category councils to agree and then deliver clear and compelling category plans which increase value or reduce costs to underpin the wider business plan. Subject matter expert for your category, understanding the external supply market for your categories to provide expert advice to the business. Combine your understanding of the business needs and your categories to deliver commercial and supply chain improvements. Support business change by challenging existing sourcing decisions; challenging existing ways of working; challenging specifications; challenging suppliers to improve their delivery. Develop productive working relationships with key internal stakeholders to build confidence in procurement and commercial strategies and secure buy-in, commitment and support. Build relationships with suppliers to ensure successful and compliant performance of contracts. Comply with the Procurement Regulations and Utilities Contracts Regulations and organisation policies. The Person: A 3rd level qualification (HNC, HND or Degree) AND a minimum of 3 years' experience in a procurement role (either public or private sector). This should include experience of the preparation and evaluation of tender/bid documents. OR A minimum of 5 years' experience in a procurement role (either public or private sector). This should include experience of the preparation and evaluation of tender/bid documents. Membership of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) (provide your CIPS membership number) OR be willing to study to obtain CIPS professional qualification with full support of NI Water. Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. MS Excel experience should include the ability to analyse and manipulate data for presentation in a professional manner. Experience in supplier relationship management Experience of delivering efficiencies in contract spend. What is in it for you?: Competitive Salary. Market Leading Pension Contribution. Working for a Top 10 NI Employer. Generous Annual Leave Allowance. To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Zachery Downes, specialist recruitment consultant at MCS Group Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit MCS Group to view a wide selection of our current jobs Skills: Contracts CIPS Tender