Category Manager - Fleet

## Opportunity Overview: Category Manager at East Midlands Railway East Midlands Railway (EMR) is seeking a dedicated and skilled Category Manager to join their thriving procurement team. As part of a "One Team" ethos, EMR is committed to safety, customer delight, and building a sustainable railway. This role presents a significant opportunity for a procurement professional to make a tangible impact on a vital public service. With a strong emphasis on employee empowerment and a nine-time Top Employer accreditation, EMR fosters a supportive environment where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work. ### Advantages for Potential Candidates: This Category Manager position offers a compelling array of benefits and development pathways for ambitious professionals: * Strategic Impact: You will play a crucial role in the fleet area, leading tendering processes and developing contractual relationships that ensure maximum value extraction for EMR. This is an opportunity to shape significant procurement strategies within a critical sector. * Professional Development: The role actively encourages the development of procurement strategies, supplier identification, and contractual agreement creation. You'll gain extensive experience across the full procurement lifecycle, from needs identification to contract closure, supported by a commitment to ISO20400 sustainable procurement. * Stakeholder Engagement: You will collaborate closely with key internal stakeholders and the Department for Transport, honing your ability to lead meetings and ensure compliance with policies and regulations. This exposure to high-level engagement is invaluable for career progression. * Commitment to Excellence: EMR emphasizes robust procurement governance and adherence to company policies, providing a framework for best practice and continuous improvement. You'll be instrumental in maintaining these high standards. * Attractive Benefits Package: Beyond a competitive salary of £43,000 - £52,000 (dependent on experience), EMR offers an excellent railway pension, free first-class duty travel on the EMR network, free standard-class leisure travel, discounted tickets for friends and family, and 75% discount on national leisure travel. * Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working hours and a generous 32 days of holiday per year, increasing to 34 after two years of service, demonstrating EMR's commitment to employee well-being. ### Key Considerations for Your Career Path: To excel in this role and maximize your career trajectory, consider the following: * Procurement Expertise: A strong foundation in procurement processes is essential, particularly the ability to lead tendering and develop contractual agreements. CIPS qualification (or working towards it) is a significant advantage. * Commercial Acumen: The role demands the creation of fit-for-purpose contractual agreements that deliver commercial benefits to the business. Your ability to negotiate and secure the best value will be paramount. * Analytical and Governance Skills: You will need strong analytical skills to interpret complex spend data and a keen eye for detail to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, including managing a contracts database effectively. * Stakeholder Management: The ability to build and maintain relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders is critical for success in this collaborative environment. * Adaptability and Proactivity: EMR is a dynamic organization. Being adaptable to business change and proactively seeking opportunities for collaboration and continuous improvement will be highly valued. * Independent Working: While teamwork is emphasized, you will also be expected to manage the procurement process from start to finish independently, demonstrating self-sufficiency and initiative. This Category Manager role at East Midlands Railway offers a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for a procurement professional looking to contribute to a vital service, develop their skills, and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package. If you are driven, commercially astute, and passionate about procurement, this position could be the next significant step in your career journey.