Category Manager FTC

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in London is seeking an experienced Category Manager to join their Procurement team for an initial 3-month FTC. This role is crucial for ensuring optimal procurement strategies that align with the firm's business goals, requiring deep expertise in supplier management and strategic sourcing. The ideal candidate will thrive in an autonomous environment, demonstrating strong analytical and negotiation skills while fostering a culture of high performance. Join a team dedicated to ethical and sustainable procurement practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in procurement with expertise in category management.
• Proven experience in cost management, supplier management, and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category-specific sourcing strategies.
• Lead end-to-end category sourcing activities.
• Collaborate with finance, operations, and legal teams.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Project Management

Education

Degree in supply chain

CIPS qualification

Tools

Excel

BI

Job description

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We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to join our Procurement team within the Finance Department on an initial 3-month FTC (with the possibility to extend). This role is essential for ensuring the firm acquires the right goods and services at the best value, supporting strategic objectives and operational excellence.

As a Category Manager, you will lead strategic procurement initiatives across key spend categories, shaping best practices and delivering commercial value. The role requires someone who thrives in an autonomous environment, bringing deep expertise, commercial acumen, and a forward-thinking approach to procurement. You will be part of a team fostering a high-performance culture, ensuring procurement strategies align with the firm’s overall business priorities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of this role are outlined below. Additional responsibilities may be assigned, and occasional work outside normal hours (9:30am to 5:30pm) may be required.

Category Strategy Development:

• Develop and execute category-specific sourcing strategies aligned with departmental and business goals.
• Perform spend analysis to identify areas for optimization and ROI.
• Monitor, collate, and analyze supplier performance data to assess value for money and identify improvement opportunities.
• Monitor market trends and benchmarks to ensure competitiveness and innovation.

Strategic Sourcing:

• Lead end-to-end category sourcing activities.
• Build a fit-for-purpose supply chain to meet departmental objectives.
• Support and lead negotiations as needed.
• Ensure robust supplier approval processes.
• Draft, review, and finalize third-party contracts.
• Lead supplier performance reviews and improvement initiatives.
• Identify and develop plans to mitigate risks across short, medium, and long-term horizons.
• Segment suppliers and develop long-term relationships and supply plans through cross-functional teams.

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with finance, operations, and legal teams to align procurement goals.
• Provide procurement support within the dedicated category department and other categories as needed.
• Manage and resolve supply chain performance issues.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, ethical standards, and regulations.

Data Analytics:

• Develop analytical dashboards to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Provide regular reports on category performance, spend management, and procurement metrics.
• Create dashboards and tools to improve visibility of spend and performance.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Candidates must have:

• A results-driven mindset focused on delivering measurable value.
• Deep knowledge of market dynamics and supplier ecosystems across categories.
• The ability to foster innovation and challenge the status quo.
• A commitment to ethical and sustainable procurement, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years in procurement, with expertise in category management.
• Proven experience in cost management, profit protection, value creation, negotiations, and supplier management.

Technical and Analytical Skills:

• Strong understanding of procurement processes and trends.
• Proficiency in procurement systems and tools.
• Knowledge of contract law and drafting agreements.
• Advanced skills in data analytics, BI, and Excel.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Education:

• Degree in supply chain, business administration, or related field.
• CIPS qualification is highly desirable.

You are also expected to demonstrate the attributes outlined in the firm’s Key Behaviours for Business Services staff for this role.