Category Manager HR/Professional services

Robert Walters UK; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global organisation is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management across HR and professional services categories. This role requires proven experience, strong commercial acumen, and excellent communication skills. The position offers hybrid working in Greater Manchester/Cheshire and a competitive salary alongside benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Flexible working

Holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR and professional services category management within a global or complex organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across HR services and professional services.
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract management, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across HR, finance, legal, and operations.
• Drive innovation and supplier performance through strategic partnerships.
• Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Category Management

HR Systems

Software Negotiations

Data Analysis

Interpersonal Skills

Commercial Thinking

Tools

SAP

Ariba

Coupa

Job description

Category Manager HR/Professional services

Save job

HR/Professional services Category ManagerSalary: Competitive and based on experienceLocation: Greater Manchester/CheshireKeywords: Category Management, HR Systems, Software Negotiations, Data Analysis, Interpersonal Skills, Commercial ThinkingA global organisation is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing and supplier management across HR and professional services categories. This is a high-impact role offering exposure to global stakeholders, complex procurement challenges, and transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across HR services (recruitment, learning & development, benefits) and professional services (consulting, legal, audit).
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract management, and risk mitigation for high-value categories.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across HR, finance, legal, and operations to align procurement with business goals.
• Drive innovation, cost optimisation, and supplier performance through strategic partnerships.
• Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives across the group.

Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience in HR and professional services category management within a global or complex organisation.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with procurement systems (e.g. SAP, Ariba, Coupa) and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Manchester or Cheshire; hybrid working available.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking business and shape the future of HR and professional services procurement on a global scale.

Apply today by clicking on the link. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates

Salary: Competitive salary + pension/hols/flex working

Salary: Competitive salary + pension/holidays/flex working

Salary: Competitive salary + pension/holidays/flex working