Category Manager

As our new Category Manager, you will lead the development and delivery of category strategies across a broad portfolio of indirect spend areas, including professional services, logistics, facilities management, IT, MRO, utilities and capex projects, representing £40–£50m per year. Working closely with the Head of Indirect and Capex Procurement, you’ll drive cost savings, enhance supplier performance and help embed robust procurement processes in an environment where there is real opportunity to shape and elevate procurement maturity.

Operating within the wider global supply chain, you’ll leverage opportunities for global savings and secure the lowest total cost to the business. You will develop and execute category supply strategies that deliver measurable benefits in working capital improvement, cost reduction, supplier rationalisation, process improvement and effective cost control.

Some of your key responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver 3–5 year category strategies for indirect spend, aligned to business objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Lead competitive sourcing activities, RFx processes and contract negotiations to drive value, mitigate risk and protect commercial interests.
• Build strong supplier partnerships, manage performance and drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Conduct spend analysis to identify consolidation, standardisation and cost efficiency opportunities across sites.
• Embed robust procurement processes, governance frameworks and performance metrics to enhance visibility and control.
• Partner with key stakeholders across finance, operations and engineering to support a more strategic, commercially focused procurement function.

What do I need to be successful in this role?

• Proven experience in indirect procurement across multiple spend categories, with full end-to-end procurement cycle expertise.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation and contract management skills, with a track record of delivering cost savings and value improvements.
• Analytical mindset with advanced Excel capability, confidence using ERP/MRP systems, and strong data analysis skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels, working collaboratively within multifunctional teams.

What’s in it for me?

• A competitive salary alongside inclusion into our company bonus scheme. Our Group Staff Bonus & Profit Performance Pay bonus scheme reinforces the Scott Bader principle of working together for a common goal and sharing in our successes.
• Enhanced employer pension contribution whereby Scott Bader will contribute a maximum of 2x your contribution, up to a maximum of 10%.
• Private medical insurance alongside a host of further discounts and employee benefit schemes.
• 25 days annual leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays – We also offer the opportunity to purchase an additional 5 day’s annual leave in case you need a couple of extra days.
• We offer all our employees one full day per year to complete volunteering work of your choice which is fully paid. Alongside this, if you are thinking about fundraising for your favourite charity or local community event, we will happily match the funds that you have raised up to a maximum of £1000 in any one year.
• Our Head Office sits within 44 acres of Northamptonshire countryside, nestled within the village of Wollaston. Access to free onsite car parking, electric car charging points, discounted cafeteria and even an onsite swimming pool.

Who are Scott Bader?

Scott Bader is an employee-owned global manufacturer of advanced composites, structural adhesives and functional polymers. Established in 1921, we have a century of expertise in manufacturing high-quality, innovative products for a variety of markets around the world. Scott Bader now employs 800 people across 7 manufacturing sites and 18 offices worldwide.

We are committed to expanding our global reach, with recent ventures including North America, India, Japan and Australia, while continuing to build on our reputation for innovation, outstanding quality and technical expertise.

Scott Bader is different to most other companies. Our business is based on the simple principle of maintaining a balance between our social purpose and business needs. In 1951 we became the first UK company to hold a Common Ownership Certificate when the Bader family handed over their shares to The Scott Bader Commonwealth Limited – in simple terms, this means that Scott Bader colleagues own and are responsible for the success and overall wellbeing of the company.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our aim is to create an environment that is welcoming to all people, and ensures we treat each other and customers with respect. We appreciate different and fresh ways of thinking, encouraging innovation where colleagues feel they can express their views freely, and create a working atmosphere in which everyone is able to deliver a high‑quality service.

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