Senior Category Manager

Senior Category Manager (Hybrid, 2 days per week in the office)

Lithia UK (based at Jaguar Land Rover Reading)

Salary up to £55,000, with bonus, car allowance, pension, life assurance, 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), family PMI, exclusive company discounts on used car purchases, leasing deals and aftersales service.

As Senior Category Manager at Lithia UK, you’ll take a leading role within our Procurement team, driving excellence and innovation across our category management practices. You’ll oversee two direct reports and act as a key partner to the Head of Procurement, helping to shape and embed best-in-class processes that support our wider business goals. Alongside managing your own complex and diverse categories, you’ll champion continuous improvement and bring fresh thinking to how we deliver value across the business.

Your Journey as a Senior Category Manager:

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to fully understand their business needs, crafting comprehensive category plans that align with and support these objectives
• Lead and manage the entire procurement lifecycle, working in partnership with internal teams to ensure seamless and effective procurement outcomes
• Play an active role in shaping the future of Procurement at Lithia UK, helping to define the team’s purpose, priorities, and areas of focus to ensure maximum value is delivered to the business
• Champion the adherence to our procurement policy across the organisation, actively promoting its importance and ensuring compliance to drive consistency and best practices
• Provide expert commercial guidance across departments, ensuring that all procurement activities deliver maximum value and contribute to the overall success of the business
• Lead and support the development of the Procurement Administration team, driving more digital and efficient ways of working
• Forge and nurture strong relationships with key suppliers, staying at the forefront of industry innovations and leveraging these connections to benefit our operations
• Conduct thorough reviews and negotiations of contracts, with a keen focus on key provisions, including GDPR compliance, to safeguard the business and optimise terms
• Monitor and track the progress of procurement projects, delivering clear insights into the benefits and value added to the business through our strategic initiatives
• Oversee the contract approval process, building strong relationships with stakeholders and Senior Leaders, including regular engagement with Lithia UK’s CFO
• Act as deputy for the Head of Procurement when required, providing leadership and continuity across the Procurement function

Are You Ready to Embrace the Challenge? We’re looking for someone who has:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a Procurement environment, with proven experience in managing complex services categories and the ability to identify/critique the quality of Procurement practice in an organisation
• Proven experience managing sourcing events and negotiating contracts across a range of categories and industries
• CIPS qualification (full or part) or equivalent, with a strong passion for Procurement and to develop talent within our team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to evaluate ideas, influence stakeholders, and build strong relationships with both internal teams and external suppliers
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise work effectively and support colleagues and direct reports in managing their own priorities

 Why Lithia UK?

• Enjoy 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), giving you more time to relax, recharge, and do what you love
• Celebrate your special day with an extra day off on your birthday
• Our industry-leading Family Leave Policies ensure you’re supported when it matters most
• Take a paid day to volunteer and give back to a cause close to your heart
• We believe in recognising dedication and loyalty, that’s why we celebrate long service milestone anniversaries
• Unlock your potential with tailored training and endless career growth opportunities
• Commute for less with our cycle to work scheme 
• Access high street discounts to make the everyday a little more rewarding
• Know someone perfect for Lithia UK? Earn rewards through our internal referral scheme

At Lithia UK, our growth is powered by our people:

As one of the largest automotive retailers globally, we’re passionate about transforming the future of personal transportation and setting new standards for exceptional customer experiences. Our values—Earn Customers for Life, Improve Constantly, Take Personal Ownership, and Have Fun!—fuel everything we do. Join us, and you’ll be part of a team that embraces innovation, champions personal growth, and celebrates success together. If you're ready to make an impact in an environment that empowers you to drive change, we’d love to have you with us on this journey.