Category Manager

Job Description:

Category Manager (HR & Recruitment)

FTC 12 months

Salford Quays (M50 3SP), Leeds (LS5 3BF) or London (EC2R 7HJ)

Full time (37.5 hours)

Hybrid working (1 day per week in the office)

Salary: from £56,000 per annum DOE plus fantastic Bupa benefits

Advert closes Monday 16th February 2026

We make health happen

At Bupa, our purpose is simple: help people live longer, healthier, happier lives and make a better world. In this Category Manager role, you’ll turn that purpose into practical impact by making sure we buy the right products and services, from the right partners, at the right value.

You’ll lead strategic sourcing and supplier relationships that keep our hospitals, clinics and support teams running smoothly—so our clinicians and carers can focus on patients, not paperwork. You’ll own your category plan, drive value beyond price (looking at the total cost of ownership—the full cost over a contract, not just the upfront price), reduce risk in our supply chains, and bring fresh thinking that improves outcomes for our customers and colleagues.

How you’ll help us make health happen

• Lead the end‑to‑end strategy for your category: build and deliver a clear plan with a savings/opportunity pipeline aligned to Bupa’s goals.

• Select, qualify and manage key suppliers using modern relationship management approaches; set measures that track performance and improvement.

• Run sourcing projects with clear timelines; negotiate contracts and develop negotiation plans that secure value and reduce risk.

• Develop and manage a category risk plan to protect supply and service continuity.

• Act as Procurement lead on Category Board projects; work closely with senior stakeholders across UK and other Market Units to align with global strategies.

• Coach Category Specialists, share expertise and champion best practice processes and tools across Bupa.

• Bring innovation that delivers value beyond price—driving continuous improvement and operational efficiencies

Key Skills/Qualifications needed for this role

• Strong category management experience in related industries (indirects such as HR and recruitment services welcome), with a track record of delivering savings through strategic planning is essential

• MCIPS (or equivalent professional qualification would be beneficial

• Confident negotiator able to develop fact‑based negotiation plans and operate at senior level.

• Expertise in contracting and supplier relationship management; comfortable drafting contracts and familiar with contract law

• Collaborative communicator who can influence, manage expectations and lead cross‑functional teams through ambiguity.

• Willingness to travel occasionally to Bupa sites and suppliers across the UK

Benefits

Our benefits are designed to make health happen for our people. Viva is our global wellbeing programme and includes all aspects of our health – from mental and physical, to financial, social and environmental wellbeing. We support flexible working and have a range of family-friendly benefits.

• 25 days holiday per year, pro rata to your contract.

• Access to a range of services to support your physical and mental wellbeing

• Fixed term benefits allowance

• Access to our confidential employee assistance programme

• Workplace pension

Why Bupa

We’re a health insurer and provider. With no shareholders, our customers are our focus. Our people are all driven by the same purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We make health happen by being brave, caring and responsible in everything we do.

We encourage all of our people to “Be you at Bupa”. We champion diversity and understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve. That’s why we especially encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Bupa is a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This means we aim to offer an interview/assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role. We’ll make sure you’re treated fairly and offer reasonable adjustments as part of our recruitment process to anyone that needs them.

If you require information regarding this role in an alternative format, please email: [email protected]

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