Morson are looking for a Senior Category Manager to hit the ground running with a Leading Defense Manufacturer.    Recognising the RESTRICTED nature of the work, suitable candidates will be SC cleared. Based in Templecombe with Hybrid Working of 3 days on site 2 from home. Key responsibilities On a day-to-day basis, you’ll have: Accountability for ensuring the most up-to-date knowledge of the supplier market, including new innovations and key emerging technologies relevant to the category. Responsibility for leading major / business critical supplier selection exercises to support business needs, as well as the deployment, implementation and monitoring of category strategies. End to end performance responsibility for the acquisition process via the management of RFIs and/or RFPs. Responsibility for supplier relationship management and continuous improvement of suppliers within the category (with the support of Supplier Performance Management Team if needed) and the management of strategic supplier performance including, but not limited to, quality, cost, delivery, contractual performance and innovation. Responsibility for ensuring that the suppliers provide the competitiveness required to support the business and to introduce optimal supply base changes to support business-winning capability. About you Ideally, you’ll have: Proven experience in direct procurement categories (ideally with experience working with technical/engineering stakeholders). Experience in developing, supporting and implementing category strategy initiatives. Experience performance managing suppliers to above target performance and have a working knowledge of supplier development techniques. Strong contractual knowledge especially of framework agreements and key clauses. The ability to lead complex negotiations including import/export considerations. A good understanding of the market for the category as well as an understanding of customer drivers, needs and programme issues. Experience implementing procurement strategy from an operational perspective. Proven ability challenging and developing innovative supply chain/procurement analysis that adds value to the business and end customers. If you are interested in the position please apply with an up to date CV