Category Manager (Travel, Events, HR & Communications)

Thales; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Half day Friday

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

Employee Assistance Program

Discount schemes

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Thales UK is seeking a Category Manager to drive Group category strategies across the UK, acting as the commercial owner for strategic suppliers and delivering measurable cost savings.

You will lead governance, negotiate renewals, manage supplier performance and engage with senior stakeholders to optimise the UK supplier landscape. Hybrid role based in Crawley with security clearance requirements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing strategic suppliers and complex service-based contracts.
• Proven track record delivering cost savings and commercial value.
• Extensive experience of supplier governance and performance improvement programmes.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing capability.
• Experience managing supply base optimisation initiatives.
• Excellent commercial, analytical and negotiation skills.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent experience desirable.

Responsibilities

• Act as the commercial owner for key strategic suppliers, leading governance, executive reviews and performance management processes.
• Deliver annual cost savings and value targets through commercial negotiations, supplier performance improvements and demand management initiatives.
• Drive supplier accountability through KPI management, continuous improvement plans and robust governance.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and act as the lead procurement advisor for assigned categories.
• Implement Group category strategies within the UK business while ensuring local requirements are represented.
• Optimise the supplier landscape through supplier consolidation and rationalisation.
• Lead sourcing, renewals and tendering activities where required.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, operational and supply chain risks.

Skills

Strategic supplier management

Cost savings delivery

Supplier governance

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier performance

Analytical negotiation

CIPS qualification desirable

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent

Job description

Location: Crawley, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

CATEGORY MANAGER

Travel, Events, HR & Communications

Crawley - Hybrid working module

Role Overview

This role is responsible for implementing Group category strategies across Thales UK and maximising value from a diverse supplier base. The position has a strong emphasis on supplier relationship management, supplier performance, stakeholder engagement, cost savings delivery and supply base optimisation. The successful candidate will act as the commercial owner of strategic supplier relationships and drive measurable business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the commercial owner for key strategic suppliers, leading governance, executive reviews and performance management processes.
• Deliver annual cost savings and value targets through commercial negotiations, supplier performance improvements and demand management initiatives.
• Drive supplier accountability through KPI management, continuous improvement plans and robust governance.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and act as the lead procurement advisor for assigned categories.
• Implement Group category strategies within the UK business while ensuring local requirements are represented.
• Optimise the supplier landscape through supplier consolidation and rationalisation.
• Lead sourcing, renewals and tendering activities where required.
• Identify and mitigate commercial, operational and supply chain risks.

Skills & Experience

• Significant experience managing strategic suppliers and complex service-based contracts.
• Proven track record delivering cost savings and commercial value.
• Extensive experience of supplier governance and performance improvement programmes.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing capability.
• Experience managing supply base optimisation initiatives.
• Excellent commercial, analytical and negotiation skills.
• CIPS qualification or equivalent experience desirable.

Core Benefits

• Performance-related bonus
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare (grade dependent)
• Pension scheme
• Life cover24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• You can read about some of our other benefits here: UK benefits | Thales Group

Security Clearance Requirement

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years' residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all.

The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring.

Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.