Indirect Category Manager

EPSA; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

EPSA is seeking an experienced Indirect Category Manager Consultant to strengthen the Procurement & Outsourcing team within a leading banking environment. You will own one or more strategic indirect procurement categories and lead sourcing, supplier management, negotiations, and category strategy activities across the organization.

You will collaborate with business stakeholders and report to the Head of Procurement & Outsourcing, driving category strategies, roadmaps, and end-to-end sourcing

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent with extensive procurement experience.
• Minimum 5 years in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, or Category Management.
• Experience in indirect procurement categories (Professional Services, HR Services, etc.).
• Track record leading complex sourcing initiatives and negotiations.
• Banking/financial services experience is a strong advantage.
• Strong stakeholder management and prioritisation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Build category roadmaps and sourcing pipelines.
• Identify initiatives that drive cost savings, value, and risk reduction.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing from demand to contract signature.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders and strategic suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with procurement, vendor risk, and outsourcing requirements.
• Maintain visibility and control over assigned categories.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Sourcing strategy

Analytical thinking

Education

Master's degree in Procurement, Economics, Finance, Business Administration

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Indirect Category Manager Consultant to strengthen our Procurement & Outsourcing team and support transformation and optimisation initiatives within a leading banking environment.

In this role, you will take ownership of one or more strategic indirect procurement categories and act as the procurement lead for sourcing, supplier management, negotiations, and category strategy activities. You will collaborate closely with business stakeholders across the organisation and report directly to the Head of Procurement & Outsourcing.

Your Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Build and maintain category roadmaps and sourcing pipelines.
• Identify procurement initiatives that drive cost savings, value creation, and risk reduction.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing processes from business demand to contract signature.
• Manage and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and strategic suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with procurement, vendor risk, and outsourcing requirements.
• Maintain full visibility and control over your assigned categories.

Categories Within Scope

• Professional Services & Consulting
• Business Services

Experience

• Master's degree in Procurement, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent through experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, or Category Management.
• Proven expertise in indirect procurement categories such as Professional Services, Consulting, Contingent Labour, HR Services, or similar.
• Track record of leading complex sourcing initiatives and commercial negotiations.
• Experience within Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, or another highly regulated environment is a strong advantage.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to balance competing priorities.

You have experience with:

• Defining and implementing category strategies.
• Leading procurement projects from initiation to contract award.
• Managing sourcing initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Negotiating commercial, contractual, and service agreements.
• Building effective supplier relationships and governance models.
• Delivering value beyond traditional cost savings.

Experience in the following categories is considered an asset:

Professional Services & Consulting

• Management, Business & IT Consulting
• Audit & Advisory Services
• Legal Services
• Temporary Staffing & External Consultants
• Recruitment Services
• Learning & Development Services

Business Services

• Marketing & Communication Services
• Events & Sponsorship
• Other Corporate Services

Experience with digital transformation initiatives, AI, automation, and process optimisation is highly valued.

• Analytical and data-driven
• Strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset
• Structured and organised
• Autonomous and proactive
• Curious and eager to embrace new challenges
• Strong relationship builder with a collaborative approach
• Confident in constructively challenging suppliers and stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills across both operational and management levels

Languages

• Dutch and/or French

Interested?

If you have a strong procurement background and enjoy driving strategic sourcing initiatives in a complex environment, we would be pleased to hear from you.