Description & Requirements
Job Title: Category Manager – Corporate Services
Location: Aberdeen
Reporting to: Head of Procurement, Sourcing and Delivery
Number of Roles Available: 1
Company Overview:
Join Great British Energy and be part of powering the UK’s Clean Energy Future.
At GBE, we’re not just building an energy company – we’re shaping the future of the UK’s energy landscape.
Our mission is clear:
Drive clean energy deployment across the UK as a strategic developer, investor, and owner of renewable projects
Deliver benefits for communities and taxpayers, ensuring the clean energy transition creates jobs, boosts local economies, and increases public ownership
We focus on innovation, sustainability, and impact, working on projects that matter – from large-scale national renewable investments to empowering local and community energy initiatives.
Joining GBE means
Purpose-driven work Be part of a national effort to accelerate the clean energy transition
Career growth Opportunities to develop expertise in cutting-edge energy technologies and strategic investment
Collaboration and flexibility Work with passionate professionals in a dynamic, forward-thinking environment.
If you want to make a real difference and help power a greener, fairer future for the UK, GBE is the place for you.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
About the Role:
Great British Energy is looking for a Category Manager – Corporate Services to join our Procurement, Sourcing and Delivery Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in establishing and shaping GBE's commercial function from the ground up. You will act as the trusted commercial lead across Corporate Services categories, ensuring a customer-focused approach that delivers value for money, robust risk management and strong supplier performance.
Corporate Services encompasses a broad portfolio including:
Digital and Technology
Financial Services
Human Resources
Legal Services
Health & Safety
You will build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships, lead end-to-end sourcing activities, negotiate and manage strategic supplier relationships, and support the development of best-in-class procurement and commercial practices across GBE.
The role also includes line management responsibility, supporting the development and performance of team members while fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence and continuous improvement.
Within your first 12 months, you will be expected to achieve Government Commercial Function Accreditation at Commercial Lead Grade, providing a nationally recognised professional qualification and further development opportunities.
Great British Energy is looking for a Category Manager to join our Team. This role will play a key part in contributing to projects, objectives, and wider organisational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
Lead end-to-end sourcing activities across Corporate Services categories.
Act as a subject matter expert, advising stakeholders on commercial and procurement strategies.
Develop business cases, sourcing options and market engagement plans.
Identify opportunities for supplier collaboration and innovation.
Ensure compliant procurement processes that deliver demonstrable value for money.
Lead and coach others on negotiation strategy and supplier engagement.
Support grant delivery and management activities where required.
Contract & Supplier Management
Manage strategic supplier contracts and key commercial agreements.
Monitor supplier performance, service delivery and contractual KPIs.
Lead contract variations, renewals and exit strategies.
Drive benefit realisation and value-for-money outcomes.
Identify and mitigate commercial, operational and supply chain risks.
Manage business continuity planning within relevant supplier arrangements.
Resolve contractual issues and supplier disputes effectively.
Stakeholder Engagement
Build trusted relationships across GBE to ensure early commercial involvement.
Challenge demand appropriately and provide expert commercial guidance.
Support senior stakeholders in aligning procurement activity to business objectives.
Promote commercial best practice across the organisation.
Strategic Delivery & Category Management
Develop category plans informed by organisational priorities and market trends.
Forecast future demand and identify longer-term sourcing opportunities.
Support the creation and implementation of category strategies.
Deliver commercial solutions aligned to GBE's growth ambitions and operational requirements.
Team Leadership
Line manage and develop assigned team members.
Set objectives, provide coaching and support professional development.
Assure quality and consistency of team outputs.
Encourage a high-performance culture focused on collaboration and continuous improvement.
Qualifications and Experience:
Essential
Significant experience in category management, procurement or commercial management roles.
Proven experience managing Corporate Services categories such as Digital, HR, Financial Services, Legal Services or Professional Services.
Strong track record of delivering strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives.
Experience managing contracts, suppliers and commercial performance.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Strong negotiation and commercial decision-making capability.
Experience leading or managing teams and developing talent.
Knowledge of procurement governance, compliance and risk management frameworks.
Desirable
MCIPS qualification or equivalent procurement accreditation.
Experience within the public sector, government, utilities, infrastructure or energy sectors.
Knowledge of grant design, delivery and management.
Experience working within complex, regulated environments.
Understanding of Government Commercial Function standards and accreditation frameworks.
Personal Qualities
- Takes ownership, shows confidence in decision-making and is willing to challenge constructively.
- Focuses on delivering meaningful outcomes and creating long-term value.
- Builds collaborative relationships and values diversity of thought.
- Proactive, adaptable and comfortable operating in a developing organisation.
- Resilient and resourceful in a fast-paced environment.
- Passionate about contributing to the UK's clean energy transition.
What We Offer:
- £67'000 base salary
- Performance-related bonus scheme
- Excellent pension scheme
- 4x salary life assurance
- Group income protection
- 38 days annual leave
- Flexible working arrangements
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Supportive, inclusive working environment