Nexus Procurement is in the middle of a glow-up. We're restructuring, reinventing, and basically giving procurement the makeover it deserves. Thanks to an internal promotion (go team!), we now need a Procurement Category Specialist who's not afraid to roll up their sleeves, challenge the status quo, and sprinkle a little magic dust on our procurement maturity journey. This isn't your average "buy stuff, save money" gig. You'll be part of a squad delivering strategic procurement change, making sure our approach is agile, pragmatic, and proportional (yes, we love buzzwords, but we actually mean them).

Typical Day

• Check procurement priorities, supplier communications, and contract updates
• Attend briefings to discuss ongoing projects, allocate responsibilities, and support category managers
• Meet with internal teams to understand requirements, provide guidance, and influence procurement decisions
• Lead negotiations, resolve issues, and explore opportunities for innovation and value creation
• Prepare business cases, financial models, and updates for senior leadershipProvide direction to team members, deputise for category managers, and promote best practice procurement.

About You

• You've mastered the end-to-end source-to-contract process across at least two categories.
• You know procurement inside out, from strategy to contract management, and you deliver with flair.
• Juggling multiple projects across a diverse portfolio? No sweat. You thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments and still hit deadlines.
• You're not afraid to shape, define, influence, and challenge current practices - always in a constructive, forward-looking way.
• You embed yourself in the full procurement journey, taking ownership from start to finish.
• You've got the skills to manage team members and direct reports, inspiring them to deliver their best.

Who we are looking for

You must be able to work collaboratively as part of a team that lives our company values every day supporting each other, delivering exceptional service, and creating a positive, respectful environment for colleagues and customers alike.

As a colleague within Nexus, you will take pride in delivering your best performance, respecting others and working towards team goals through collaboration, agility and embracing learning opportunities.

More information can be found in the Supporting Documents section.

Our Team

You will join a small but growing team, passionate, professional and focused about value for money, agile, proactive, proportionate and pragmatic procurement solutions and outcomes. The team will work across a diverse and exciting portfolio of categories within Engineering, Infrastructure, Construction, Asset Management and corporate and operational requirements.

About Us

We care for our communities, deliver with trust and accountability, and adapt with innovation. Every journey is designed to be sustainable, inclusive, and customer-focused because when we move forward together, we create a cleaner environment, a stronger economy, and a better future for all.

What we offer

• This is a Monday to Friday job
• You'll work a 36-hour week
• You'll be part of a generous pension scheme (Local Government Pension Scheme)
• 28 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays and time off for volunteering too
• Enjoy travelling for free in Tyne and Wear with our enhanced travel benefits for you and your family
• Free or discounted travel with Grand Central, LNER, Lumo, Northern Rail and TransPennine Express
• You will have the opportunity to contribute to a health cash plan that will contribute (and dependants if you have them) towards dental costs, optical, and lots more
• Access to our reward app with over 1000 plus high street discounts on groceries, holidays and days out.
• We like to grow our own colleagues (not literally of course!), so when you're ready for the next step in your career, we can help develop you.

What to expect at interview

Our selection process includes a structured interview. Interviews will take place week commencing 22 December 2025.

Closing date: Friday, 19 December 2025 at 9am

Please note: All communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered online with North East Jobs, this will include your invitation to any online assessment you are required to undertake and also your invite to interview if you are short-listed. Please ensure you check your email inbox after the closing date for notifications from North East Jobs as you will not be notified by any other means. Please also remember to check your junk email items as the notification may appear here.