Senior Category Manager - Logistics

As Lead Category Manager, you will take ownership of a broad Logistics and Supply Chain portfolio, partnering closely with stakeholders across Operations, Supply Chain, Distribution, Finance and Commercial functions.

You will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies that improve operational efficiency, reduce cost, enhance supplier performance and support long-term business objectives.

This role requires a strong blend of procurement expertise, commercial leadership, stakeholder engagement and market insight.

Areas of responsibility may include:

• Road transport and haulage services
• Third-party logistics (3PL) and contract warehousing
• Distribution and fulfilment operations
• Final mile and home delivery solutions
• International freight and customs management
• Fleet procurement, maintenance and management
• Warehouse automation and robotics
• Materials handling equipment
• Logistics technology and supply chain systems
• Packaging and supply chain consumables
• Engineering and maintenance services

These categories directly influence service levels, customer satisfaction, operational resilience and overall business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to business objectives and operational priorities.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of procurement and value creation opportunities.
• Identify market trends, supplier innovations and emerging technologies to support future business requirements.
• Develop category roadmaps that deliver both short-term savings and long-term value.
• Lead strategic planning activities for key logistics categories.

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Delivery

• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities from strategy development through to supplier implementation.
• Deliver sustainable cost savings and operational efficiencies across the logistics portfolio.
• Conduct complex commercial negotiations and contract renewals.
• Ensure sourcing decisions balance cost, service, risk and operational performance.
• Support large-scale logistics, distribution and supply chain transformation projects.
• Drive commercial excellence through rigorous supplier selection and evaluation processes.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships.
• Establish performance management frameworks and governance structures.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through supplier partnerships.
• Proactively manage supply chain, operational and commercial risks.
• Ensure suppliers contribute to sustainability, resilience and efficiency objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted procurement partner to senior leaders and operational stakeholders.
• Provide expert commercial advice on logistics and supply chain initiatives.
• Influence decision-making across complex cross-functional environments.
• Support executive priorities, capital investment programmes and transformation activities.
• Promote procurement best practice across the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing Day-to-Day

A successful Logistics Procurement professional will:

• Manage high-value logistics contracts and supplier relationships.
• Lead tender exercises, competitive sourcing events and contract negotiations.
• Analyse logistics spend and identify opportunities for cost reduction and value creation.
• Work closely with transport, warehouse and fulfilment teams to understand operational requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs and service level agreements.
• Assess market conditions, freight trends and supplier capabilities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across logistics operations.
• Support strategic projects involving automation, network optimisation and supply chain transformation.
• Mitigate supplier and operational risks through effective procurement planning and governance.
• Deliver measurable commercial outcomes while protecting service performance.