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, this organisation operated with exceptional professionalism and moved swiftly to help me secure a new position. Both Robbie and Daniel were outstanding throughout my job search, and I'd gladly recommend their services to anyone.

I've just landed my first contract role through Vanrath. I originally reached out to them because my husband had a positive experience with the company over ten years ago when he was looking for a software engineering role. Dan Morgan delivered that same high standard of efficiency and communication again. Anyone exploring new career opportunities should definitely consider getting in touch with this team.

If you're searching for work in the north, Vanrath truly covers everything you need. In my own journey, Jack was the key person who guided me from start to finish and ultimately helped me secure a dream position-with an improved salary and additional benefits on top.
He quickly grasped what I was aiming for and used his knowledge to line up strong matches right away.
The interview preparation was excellent, responses from employers were fast, and I always received clear feedback-whether successful or not-which really helped me understand where I stood. The entire experience was transparent, prompt and consistently professional.
If I ever find myself looking for another role, they'll be my first call-though that's unlikely, as they've helped me find the perfect job.

Ross offered invaluable support during my recent job search. He recognised my strengths and highlighted how they would add value to the employer I'm now delighted to be working with. Huge thanks to Ross and to such a polished, reliable company.