Our vision is simple - TopHat was founded to deliver beautiful homes, sustainably. We use advanced manufacturing and the latest technology to delivery ultra-low carbon homes, whilst keeping costs as low as possible. We manufacture homes in a controlled environment, removing uncertainties, improving quality and reducing costs. We have extensive experience of delivering projects in different ways to ensure that our customers get the solutions they need.

We've built over 200 homes with a pipeline far in excess of this. We are also a manufacturer; operating in a 125,000 sq ft factory in Derbyshire and have well advanced plans to build another one 5 times bigger. 

TopHat are now on the look out for a Category Manager, to grow and enrich supplier relationships by 'being easy to do business with', through delivering exemplar commercial opportunities which coupled with effective analysis and negotiation skills will deliver cost optimisation, improved supplier performance, and enhance company profitability.

Main purpose of the role:

• Create and execute a category management plan for hard services to reduce total cost, improve quality of supply and mitigate risk within the supply chain.
• Regular supplier engagement and management; building strategic, value-adding relationships and driving performance through data-driven management and relationship building.
• Managing and running end-to-end sourcing activities and supporting the Procurement Director in high risk/value opportunities.
• Identifying, evaluating, negotiating and contracting with new suppliers.
• Define measurement KPIs to demonstrate progress delivering maximum value from all third party spend
• Project managing the delivery of plans and initiatives including performing cost/benefit analysis
• Be the category expert for responsible spend areas in order to fully understand the business needs and ensure compliance and performance as well as risk mitigation.
• Stay current and up to date on any changes that may affect the supply and demand of essential services and goods and advise others of any impact
• Highlight issues or concerns, when there is a risk which could prevent the organisation meeting customer demands
• Provide advice on appropriate procurement strategies, from category and framework strategy through to overall business procurement strategy.
• Lead bid and tender preparation and business development, as well as deliver procurement tenders involving multiple stakeholders
• Develop and revise processes, procedures, and framework strategies.
• Identify and manage key stakeholders within procurement processes
• Ensure compliance to client, industry and public procurement standards at all times, alongside Health and Safety and Quality Assurance
• Ensure Client delivery is above expectation through reviewing and improving project performance, service delivery and technical and commercial outcomes

Experience and qualifications we are looking for:

• MCIPS Qualified or working towards
• Experience within category management, managing hard services, facilities and/or construction suppliers
• Demonstrable level of technical and commercial understanding of hard services along with an in-depth knowledge of the supply markets
• Fantastic organisation and administrative skills, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to work prioritise own workload
• Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Confidence to work alone and manage tasks effectively
• Is not knocked off balance by ambiguity, uncertainty and change
• Ability to demonstrate TopHat values.

What we can offer you

• Up to £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to buy 5 additional days)

• Aviva Health Insurance

• Group Life Assurance

• Income Protection

• Subsidised Canteen (Derby site only)

• Enhanced Group Pension Scheme, matching up to 6%

• Flexible Working (role dependant)

• Enhanced Paternity and Maternity Pay

At TopHat we welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture where everyone can succeed and be themselves. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it makes our business what it is today. We value diversity and we particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, women and anyone with disabilities as we are underrepresented in these areas.