Category Lead / AdvisorEngineering Department

TN United Kingdom; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Category Lead / Advisor to join their dynamic team in Aberdeen. This full-time role offers hybrid working arrangements and involves developing strategies to minimize costs while maximizing supplier performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in strategic sourcing and category management. You will have the autonomy to implement changes that drive organizational performance, making a significant impact in a fast-paced environment. If you are ready to take on new challenges and lead cross-functional teams, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategic sourcing and category management experience.
• Knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing processes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for Exploration / Offshore services.
• Manage supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Negotiation Skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management

Relevant Business / Technical / Law / QS discipline

Tools

SAP Ariba

Excel

Job description

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Job Reference:

267887df5fba

Job Views:

15

Posted:

28.04.2025

Expiry Date:

12.06.2025

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Job Description:

Job Description

We are currently recruiting a Category Lead / Advisor for our client in Aberdeen.

This is a full-time ongoing contract role, with hybrid working arrangements.

Working within the Category Management & Strategic Sourcing function of the Supply Chain Management group, the Category Analyst will develop strategies to minimize the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) the company receives from third parties, coordinate the implementation of category strategies, and manage supplier performance for continuous improvement. To achieve this, this individual will interact with company operating assets and relevant stakeholders to maximize opportunities and ensure buy-in.

In addition to identifying opportunities for savings and value creation, this individual will have the autonomy within their categories to make necessary changes to drive higher performance for the organization.

The ideal candidate must have analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work in a team environment and drive projects in adherence to their schedules.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and implement category strategies for Exploration / Offshore service categories. Perform assessments for the goods and services being evaluated, develop detailed supply market analysis, and construct cost models to facilitate long-term management of company spend.
2. Identify strategies to support the business needs in an ever-changing market and obtain internal stakeholder buy-in across all levels of the organization, either via tendering, direct commercial negotiation, etc.
3. Identify and implement TCO reduction opportunities for the goods and services being evaluated. Optimize the total cost of the product or service by leveraging across markets, forming key supplier alliances, consolidating the supplier base, and exploring efficiencies involved in the supply chain.
4. Lead cross-functional teams on project-based initiatives to develop and implement key elements of category strategies.
5. Manage the competitive bidding process for multiple lines of services both locally and globally as part of strategic sourcing events, including supplier communications.
6. Oversee and construct comprehensive bid evaluation models incorporating predetermined criteria and weightings, discounted cash flow analysis, and input from Key Stakeholders.
7. Develop negotiation strategies by identifying and quantifying gives, takes, and best alternatives.
8. Coordinate the preparation and execution of commercial agreements ensuring proper definition of the business relationship, allocating / mitigating risk between the company and the supplier. Ensure compliance with related policies and procedures.
9. Identify and monitor leading supply market indicators to proactively adjust category strategies.
10. Work with key Stakeholders and suppliers to create accurate material forecasts, placing orders to ensure adequate inventory and safety stock levels, avoiding operational downtime.
11. Evaluate and test category levers, including pooled demand, standard designs/requirements, and supplier performance incentives to drive continuous improvement. Facilitate discussions among different functional and regional teams to uncover category insights beyond price.
12. Establish, maintain, and communicate an understanding of the client business unit, the relative importance of the materials and services required, and process improvement methods utilized to support Supply Chain initiatives. Maintain valuable local and regional supply relationships.
13. Interact with business units to ensure understanding and ownership on all commercial and project-based initiatives.
14. Understand and drive adoption of Purchase-to-Pay processes and systems.
15. Develop detailed contract management plans with input from Stakeholders to ensure adherence to commercial / technical requirements.
16. Drive Supplier performance management through measurement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), communication of operational performance, and identification of areas for improvement.

Desired Qualities/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or relevant Business / Technical / Law / QS discipline.
• 5+ years of strategic sourcing, category management, or general Supply Chain experience within diverse industries / markets.
• Experience of oil and gas operations in category management / contracts environment, with knowledge and experience of subsea, projects, operations, engineering, and logistics categories beneficial.
• Knowledge of category management, strategic sourcing processes, procedures & practices.
• Executed contract / commercial negotiations.
• Working knowledge of evaluation modelling experience, including cost/benefit and present value analysis.
• Excel knowledge and experience.
• Experience with SAP Ariba related to sourcing and contracts is preferred.