Procurement Category Lead - HR Services and Supplier

Job Introduction

About us

Do you aspire to work in a welcoming, innovative, forward-thinking, inclusive and supportive organisation where you can also learn and develop? YPO might be the perfect fit for you!

With 50 years of experience, YPO has been dedicated to supporting the public sector. Our journey began five decades ago when 13 local authorities united to streamline their purchasing needs and enhance efficiency, forming the organisation we know today.

As a 100% publicly owned entity by our 13 member authorities, we ensure that our profits are reinvested into our public sector customers, offering even greater value for money. Discover more about our company and culture at Start a career at YPO | YPO.

YPO is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best.

YPO is pleased to consider requests for flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours and job-sharing opportunities. We are committed to supporting work-life balance and encourage candidates to discuss their preferred working patterns with us.

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint to the role of Category Lead to join our HR Procurement Services and Solutions team.

In this role, you will have genuine impact across YPO and the Public sector by:

• Lead and support the delivery of strategic procurement projects within the procurement services team, driving category objectives and value creation.
• Ensure high-quality supplier performance to achieve service excellence, cost savings, efficiency, and overall growth and profitability.
• Lead and manage the category with strategic oversight, fostering collaboration, communication, and team development while ensuring operational excellence and resolving customer and supplier challenges.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key partners, service providers, stakeholders, other PSBO’s and customers to influence and shape the public sector agenda, supporting a category management approach.
• Ensure all procurement activity is fully compliant with UK and EU legislative requirements, leveraging expertise to uphold governance and best practice.

You’ll join a collaborative, high-performing procurement team, with opportunities to work on innovative and niche projects that make a difference to public sector organisations and communities.

About You

We are seeking a driven, strategic thinking and enthusiastic individual to join our team. Drawing from the skills and experience section of the Job Description, we are looking for someone who can bring the right blend of experience, skills and behaviours:

• Procurement Leadership: Skilled in designing innovative, compliant procurement frameworks and delivering strategic solutions aligned with the Procurement Act 2023.
• Customer Focus: Champion growth and value by aligning procurement strategies with YPO’s commitment to customers and public service excellence.
• Supplier Management: Develop and lead strategic supplier partnerships to drive category objectives, ensure compliance, and deliver long-term value.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, suppliers, other Public Sector Buyer Organisations, and internal teams to champion YPO’s category strategies and deliver tailored solutions.
• Market Intelligence: Lead strategic market analysis to anticipate industry trends and evolving customer needs, ensuring category strategies maintain a competitive edge.
• Marketing and Promotion: Develop and lead category-focused marketing strategies to strengthen customer engagement and raise awareness of YPO’s frameworks solutions and team experience.

For a detailed description of the role and required skills, please refer to the job description attached.

Why join us?

We are proud to offer a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• Generous annual leave – from 24 days per year, plus 8 statutory bank holidays and 3 discretionary closedown days at Christmas.
• Local Government Pension through West Yorkshire Pension Fund.
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing package.
• Flexi scheme and flexible working options (please discuss preferred working patterns at interview).
• Family-friendly policies.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Free parking

Coming from the public sector?

Subject to HR policy and eligibility, we may recognise continuity of service for certain benefits (e.g. pension).

Grow your career

Join a growing community of experienced procurement professionals with access to mentoring, learning pathways, and opportunities to innovate, progress and lead.

Interested?

To have a confidential and informal discussion about this role, or for any additional support, contact:

Gemma Maw – Strategic Procurement Manager – [email protected]

Interviews are scheduled to take place the week commencing 2nd February 2026, in-person at our office in Wakefield.