Category Manager

Join our growing Procurement team and help us make a difference!

We are currently looking for a commercially minded Category Manager to join our growing Procurement team on a permanent basis.

Now is an exciting time to join Platform Housing Group a dynamic forwardthinking social housing business who offer employees an inclusive and supportive environment with excellent benefits and family friendly policies.

In this role youll be at the heart of shaping and delivering commercially driven compliant procurement solutions across a defined category portfolio. Youll lead the creation and execution of category strategies that support Platform Housing Groups strategic ambitions driving value for money strengthening governance and enhancing supply chain performance.

You will be responsible for planning and delivering endtoend sourcing activities in line with the Procurement Act 2024 and internal financial standing orders. This includes overseeing complex tendering processes supporting contract implementation and working closely with business leads to ensure contracts are actively managed and achieving the expected outcomes.

Some of the things we are looking for:

• Proven experience delivering endtoend procurement in a regulated environment with strong knowledge of the Procurement Act 2024 and public procurement regulations
• Excellent communication stakeholder management and influencing skills able to engage with both operational and strategic leads.
• Experience within procurement within the Housing and/or Public Sector
• Strong background in developing and executing category strategies including premarket engagement tendering contract award and postaward management.
• Competent user of procurement and contract systems with the ability to extract analyse and present procurement.

While this role offers the flexibility of being homebased occasional travel to Group offices and other locations including Birmingham Business Park Solihull and Central Park Worcester is required.

Some of the great benefits we can offer you:

• Up to 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with the opportunity to buy and sell leave

• Family friendly policiesincluding generous Paternity Maternity Shared Parental and Adoption leave plus 3 days paid Urgent Domestic Leave

• Medicash membership for all employees which includes access to an employee assistanceprogramme discounted gym membership and exclusive discounts

• Health Cash Plan worth up to 1700 p/a with cashback for dental optical physio and complementary therapiesand more

• Pension scheme with minimum employee contributions of up to 3% and Platform will contribute up to 12% (inclusive of life assurance and dependent on employee contributions)

• Learning and Development opportunities

• Employee reward and recognition scheme with wellbeing hub and discount from a wide range of retailers

How to apply:

If youre looking for a role where your expertise will be valued your ideas welcomed and where you can help shape the future of procurement in a supportive and forwardthinking team then wed love to hear from you. Click Apply Now to complete an online application and upload your Current CV

For more details about this position please refer to the attached job description. If youd like further information about the role please email Hannah McArthur (Senior Category Manager)

Interviews:

We are planning to hold firststage virtual interviews for this opportunity and will contact shortlisted candidates to arrange a convenient time.

We encourage early applications as we may close the advert ahead of the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of interest.

Join us and find your purpose at Platform!

Working with us is more than just a job you will be joining an amazing organisation that values you and your contribution and where you can truly make a difference and change peoples lives.

You will join the largest social housing association in the Midlands. Were much more than just houses; we build homes strong communities and make a real and positive difference to the lives of our customers.

We recognise the unique and individual needs of people so if you are interested in this role but would like to explore a different way of working to the standard Monday to Friday 95 approach then please highlight this on your application or discuss it with us at the interview stage. After all we want to attract the best people to work for us and we know that one size does not fit all.

Platform is a great place to work we offer lots of opportunities for you to get involved share ideas and shape what we do from networking groups through to fun community and social events. This is an exciting time to join us that will provide you with real exposure to the wider dynamics of a truly modern housing association that will play a major part in delivering our 5year corporate strategy.

If we receive a high number of applications this vacancy may expire prior to the closing date. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Platform Housing Group are committed to building a healthy vibrant and inclusive organisation that treats people with respect and creates opportunities for all.