Unipart Rail is part of the Unipart Group, one of Europe's leading independent logistics' companies that employs more than 8,000 employees worldwide and has an annual turnover of more than £800 million.

We have a long heritage in the rail industry based on decades of experience, we have continuous improvement plans to embrace innovation in both products and business techniques to ensure that we remain the first and best choice for our customers.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Category Manager to work at our Crewe site.

Main Purpose of the Role

To leverage competitive advantage and best in class performance from a defined portfolio of strategic suppliers.

This role will develop and deliver procurement strategies for a defined category of spend, covering direct and/or indirect materials, components, assemblies and services.

The role has responsibility for the contracting arrangement with suppliers as well as developing supplier relationships and managing their performance.

Spread Of Skills & Analysis Required

• Work is not straightforward and requires considerable initiative and judgement. Difficult tasks or assignments may be handled.
• Ability to compile, analyse, interpret and present information to senior stakeholders.
• Skilled communicator with excellent stakeholder management and effective influencing skills at all levels.
• Strong data analytical and problem solving skills.
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills.
• Strategic thinker with ability to convert to tactical deployment plans.
• Good track record of supporting a team culture and cross functional working.
• Ability to work independently.

Pressure & Working Environment

High degree of work pressure. A high level of resilience required with ability to work to tight and challenging deadlines. Based in Doncaster but a large amount of travel around the UK is needed and some home working is accepted. Overseas travel may be necessary in support of international opportunities as and when required.

Qualifications & Education

• Degree qualified, CIPS qualified (level 5/6 or equivalent).
• MS Office\Google experience.
• Lean and continuous improvement knowledge.

Experience & Proven Ability Required

Essential

• Recognised procurement professional or relevant work experience (min 4+ years in a Consumables and Fasteners environment).
• Experience of implementing Category strategies and supplier development plans within a distributed product/manufacturing environment.
• Experience within the Rail industry (Infrastructure / Rolling Stock (New build or MRO)) with good knowledge of the supplier market place & associated approvals requirements.
• Excellent supplier development and relationship management skills.
• Experience in managing strategic sourcing exercises (ITT, RFx, etc).
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of financial drivers / supplier financial analysis and product cost analysis / benchmarking.
• Experience in negotiating, implementing and managing framework agreements / Long Term Contracts with supporting Service Level Agreements.

Desirable

• Experience within Automotive or Aerospace sectors or other Blue Chip manufacturing sectors.
• Experience of repairable management and the associated processes.
• Experience of SAP ERP solutions / SAP super user.
• Knowledge & experience of LEAN Manufacturing & LEAN Supply Chain principles.
• Knowledge and experience of Open Book Costing and Supplier Cost Interrogation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Business Need Car
• Pension and death in service provisions for employees in pension scheme
• 25 Days Hols (plus Bank Holidays)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Health and Wellbeing Initiatives
• Employee offers and discounts from various retailers
• Recognition events and rewards
• Free on site car parking

As a valued employee of Unipart Rail, you can look forward to a varied and rewarding career with a company that holds the Investors in People accreditation and also world class status in employee engagement.

Strictly no agencies and we would ask that agencies refrain from making contact with any of our colleagues and that no CVs are submitted to staff across the business. Any CVs sent will be at your own risk. We will reserve the right to engage with candidates directly having not, in any way, entered into your company's Terms and Conditions.