Senior Category Manager

Senior Category Manager - Global Procurement (Capital Construction & Engineering) - Lifesciences industry

Duration: 12 months

Onsite requirements: Hybrid, travel to either Irvine OR Montrose in Scotland

Engagement Type: Inside IR35

LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK: Candidates must have the existing legal right to work in the UK. No sponsorship is available.

Gibbs Consulting is supporting a leading organisation in the pharmaceutical industry to appoint a Senior Global Procurement Manager. This role is for a client of ours.

You will take a strategic and operational lead in defining and delivering procurement and contracting solutions for capital construction and engineering projects. The role partners closely with project leadership teams to ensure delivery against safety, cost, quality and schedule targets, while maintaining strong compliance and supplier performance management.

• Act as the lead procurement partner for major capital projects across UK manufacturing sites
• Champion safety culture, driving continuous improvement and compliance throughout delivery
• Enable early procurement engagement to shape optimal contracting and sourcing strategies
• Execute robust sourcing processes covering Professional Services and Trade contractor packages
• Lead negotiations, contract drafting, contract performance and change/claim management
• Maintain close governance through steering reviews, supplier performance tracking and reporting
• Build and manage long-term supplier relationships, focusing on innovation, efficiency and value
• Support knowledge sharing and collaboration across internal stakeholder groups

• 6–10 years procurement experience within capital construction & engineering environments
• In-depth understanding of commercial risk allocation and contracting models (EPCM / EPC / IPD)
• Knowledge of NEC, FIDIC or IChemE contract forms (NEC highly desirable)
• Skilled in end-to-end sourcing, commercial negotiation and contract management
• Confident stakeholder manager capable of influencing and driving change
• Excellent communication and leadership behaviours in complex organisations
• Degree in Business, Economics or Engineering (Master level preferred)
• SAP and MS Office proficiency, Lean/Six Sigma exposure beneficial