Category Officer

CATEGORY OFFICER (MAXIGROUP PROCUREMENT)

Level: Supervisor

Leadership Responsibility: Leads cross-functional teams and individual contributors

Reporting Line: Assistant Category Managers, MaxiGroup Procurement

Position Accountability Statement

The Category Officer is a junior-level leadership role who is accountable for the effective management and strategic sourcing of procurement activities within an assigned category or group of categories.

Broad Responsibility Highlights

The Category Officer will be responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement activities within a specific category or group of categories (e.g., IT, Indirect Materials, Outsourced Services, etc.), ensuring optimal supplier selection, cost management, and alignment with business objectives.

The role requires strong analytical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders to deliver value-driven procurement outcomes. The Category Officer will play a key role in shaping procurement strategies and managing supplier relationships to ensure the best value, quality, and service for the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Management:
• Develop and execute category-specific strategies aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives, ensuring optimal sourcing decisions.
• Conduct spend analysis to identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier consolidation, and process improvements within assigned categories.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement process for specific categories, from identifying needs and conducting supplier research to executing contracts and performance reviews.
• Continuously review and assess category performance to ensure alignment with business needs, identifying opportunities for improvements, and implementing corrective actions as required.
• Supplier Relationship Management:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, negotiating long-term contracts and performance agreements that drive value, quality, and innovation.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate supplier performance against contractual terms, ensuring delivery on key metrics such as cost, quality, lead times, and service levels.
• Lead the supplier selection process, including conducting requests for proposals (RFPs), bids, and negotiations, ensuring best-value suppliers are selected.
• Resolve any supplier performance issues or disputes promptly and professionally, ensuring business continuity and supplier compliance.
• Market Research & Analysis:
• Perform continuous market research to stay updated on industry trends, new suppliers, technologies, and innovations that could offer value or cost savings for the organization.
• Conduct a thorough analysis of market conditions, supply chain risks, and alternative sourcing strategies to drive procurement decisions.
• Provide category insights to senior management, assisting in the development of business strategies, forecasts, and budget planning.
• Contract Management & Compliance:
• Assist in the negotiation, drafting, and execution of contracts with suppliers, ensuring terms are aligned with organizational objectives and compliance requirements.
• Monitor contract performance, ensuring suppliers meet contractual obligations and adhere to agreed-upon timelines, quality standards, and service levels.
• Ensure all procurement activities within the category comply with internal policies, procurement regulations, and external legal requirements.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, such as finance, operations, legal, and other departments, to understand their needs and requirements within the category.
• Develop a deep understanding of business priorities and translate these into actionable procurement strategies.
• Act as a liaison between internal teams and suppliers, ensuring clear communication and alignment on objectives, timelines, and expectations.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and efficiency gains in procurement operations within the assigned category.
• Support the implementation of best practices and innovative solutions in procurement activities, ensuring continual improvement and value delivery.
• Participate in regular training and development to stay current with industry best practices, procurement tools, and evolving market dynamics.
• Other Tasks:
• Performs other related functions that may be assigned by the immediate supervisor, Strategic Procurement Manager, Procurement Head and/or Chief Operating Officer (COO).
  
  

Desired Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Critical Thinking
• Stakeholder Management
• Project Management
• Leadership, Teamwork and Guidance
• Innovation and Risk-Taking
• Strategy & Execution
• Regulatory Knowledge
• Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills
  
  

Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or a related field; a Master's degree or relevant professional certification such as CSSP (Certified Strategic Sourcing Professional) or CCMP (Certified Category Management Professional) is an advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in category management, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably within a corporate or large-scale organization.
• Strong understanding of procurement principles, supplier management, contract negotiation, and category-specific market trends.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to conduct detailed spend analysis, supplier evaluations, and market research.
• Experience with procurement tools and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Ariba, etc.).
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience in strategic sourcing and supplier performance management.
• Knowledge of category-specific regulations, standards, and sustainability considerations.
• Advanced data analysis skills, including the use of Excel, Power BI, or other data visualization tools.