Senior Category Manager

Senior Category Manager (Digital Services)

National Highways | Hybrid Working

(Leeds, Guildford, Manchester, Bristol, Bedford or Birmingham)

National Highways is seeking a Senior Category Manager to join its Digital Services Procurement team. Supporting key technology and digital initiatives, you'll lead complex procurement projects, influence senior stakeholders and help shape the future of procurement across the organisation.

The Role

You'll be responsible for delivering end-to-end procurement activity across digital and technology categories, developing category strategies and providing expert commercial advice to stakeholders. As a senior member of the team, you'll also support and mentor colleagues, acting as a trusted procurement lead and escalation point.

About You

We're looking for a commercially astute procurement professional with strong stakeholder management skills and a strategic mindset. You'll have experience leading procurement activity in a complex environment and be confident influencing decisions at all levels.

Public sector procurement experience is highly desirable, as is experience within IT, digital or technology categories, although candidates from other sectors will also be considered. Most importantly, you'll be a strong communicator, a natural problem solver and someone who can build credibility quickly.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex procurement projects across Digital Services and technology categories.
• Develop category strategies and deliver commercial value.
• Partner with stakeholders to provide advice, challenge and solutions.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with regulations and best practice.
• Support and mentor procurement colleagues.
• Resolve complex commercial and procurement challenges.

Why Join National Highways?

National Highways offers genuine flexibility and a strong work-life balance, alongside the opportunity to work on large-scale programmes that have a real impact.

Benefits include:

• Hybrid working with two office days per week.
• Flexible working arrangements, including compressed hours and nine-day fortnights.
• Trust-based culture focused on outcomes rather than presenteeism.
• Opportunity to influence major digital and technology programmes.
• Leadership responsibility within a collaborative and supportive team.

Location

This role can be based from a number of National Highways locations across the UK. Birmingham is the team's main hub, although candidates located near other National Highways offices are encouraged to apply. There will be occasional travel for meetings, stakeholder engagement and team events.