Job description

VANRATH are delighted to be partnering with a major company in Northern Ireland with the Recruitment of a Category Manager to join a growing and dynamic company based in Belfast.

This position is based in the company's Belfast office. Monday - Friday position. Hybrid working is available (80% in the office / 20% at home)

This is a Permanent position. This company has an excellent reputation.

Salary

Negotiable + other Additional Benefits (Top Company) + Fantastic work benefits and Environment + Holiday Package (25 days leave + Stats) & Progression Opportunities

Overview:
As a Category Manager, you will oversee and manage multiple categories, driving cost-effective procurement of goods and services while upholding high standards of quality, compliance, and supplier performance.

Responsibilities:

Partner with stakeholders to understand category needs and ensure effective service delivery.
Lead sourcing, tendering, and procurement strategies aligned with business goals and sustainability standards.
Build strong supplier relationships, managing performance, contracts, and disputes.
Drive cost savings, efficiency, and innovation through strategic sourcing and improvement projects.
Monitor markets, assess risks, and implement contingency and sustainability initiatives.
Use procurement tools (e.g., Nav, Qliksense) to enable data-driven decisions.
Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations and promote a safe workplace.
Support and mentor team members, pursue continuous development, and maintain flexibility for travel and changing business needs.

Requirements:

Degree-level education in Business, Procurement, Supply Chain, or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
Minimum 4 years of proven procurement and negotiation experience in a similar role.
Demonstrable success in sourcing, supplier negotiation, and cost-saving initiatives.
Experience in managing supplier relationships and contract performance.
Track record of working cross-functionally with internal stakeholders.
Strong understanding of procurement best practices and supply chain management.

Desired criteria :

CIPS qualification (MCIPS) or actively working towards it.
Experience managing a small team or mentoring junior staff.
Familiarity with sustainability reporting standards or carbon reduction frameworks.
Project management skills (e.g. Prince2 or Agile methodologies).
Advanced Excel or data analysis skills for reporting and insight generation.

For more information on this role please reach out to Jack Groves @ VANRATH for more information.

From the very first conversation, Jack took the time to truly understand what I wanted from my next career step. His support and insight made all the difference - within no time, he matched me with a position that fit perfectly and guided me through the entire process with ease.

I can't recommend Jack from Vanrath highly enough. We first spoke on a Friday, and by Tuesday, I'd accepted an offer for a role that suited me down to the ground. Throughout, Jack was proactive, approachable, and kept me informed every step of the way.

Exceptional service from start to finish! Jack went the extra mile to make the whole experience seamless and stress-free. He was consistently professional, genuinely supportive, and clearly invested a great deal of care and attention into helping me secure the right role.

Working with Jack was a real pleasure, especially through a more complicated recruitment journey. He was always available, quick to reply, and offered thoughtful advice at every stage. His guidance and encouragement made a challenging process feel straightforward.