Global Category Manager

ICBC Standard Bank; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

ICBC Standard Bank is seeking a talented individual for developing and improving sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and delivering management reports. You'll execute category plans, lead sourcing strategies, and ensure robust client relationship management. Join us for competitive pay and a collaborative work culture.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Annual bonus

Pension and insurance benefits

Flexible working options

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience working in a regulated environment, ideally in Financial Services.
• Extensive Category Management and Sourcing experience, ideally with IT procurement.
• Strong communication skills across all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Execute Category Plans ensuring risks are managed and savings delivered.
• Lead analysis and set category spend baseline.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients; provide best-in-class sourcing advice.

Skills

Communication

Project Management

Attention to Detail

Strategic Thinking

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

To support the ongoing business needs in the development and continuous improvement of the sourcing strategy, managing supplier and customer relationships, producing management intelligence, and preparing management information reports including supplier and business spend reporting.

To ensure, in conjunction with the Financial Crime Compliance team, that sourcing processes effectively and appropriately address financial crime risks, including money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery and corruption, fraud, and sanctions breaches.

Other sourcing activities such as market analysis, benchmarking, involvement in tender and contract management, and supplier performance reporting are also required.

What you'll be doing

• Execute Category Plans to agreed timelines with Stakeholders ensuring risks are appropriately managed and savings delivered.
• Lead the analysis and set category spend baseline and category profile, including risk assessment and purchasing strategy liaising with other departments as required.
• In collaboration with other teams, define the Buying Channel strategy and assess P2P/Channel effectiveness.
• In collaboration with the business teams, measure category practices against best-in-class benchmarks to identify value delivery initiatives.
• Build specific Category Strategy in line with the direction set out by the Head of Sourcing, considering regional requirements.
• Support the GCS Operations Lead with P2P queries and stakeholder management, providing cover in their absence. Support alignment with global business strategies and financial plans.

Client Relationship Management

• Ensure strong relationship management of the existing client base by being proactive and understanding "what keeps clients awake at night".
• Build and maintain relationships with clients; engage with clients.
• Understand client's sourcing and purchasing governance and challenge clients appropriately to ensure the bank gets the best deal.
• Provide best-in-class sourcing advice to service users.

Sourcing and Negotiation

• Provide cover and act on behalf of Head of Sourcing in their absence.
• Define, communicate, and align innovative sourcing strategies for categories, supporting global and regional projects.
• Proactively set up and support supplier management to develop suppliers and establish a sustainable supply chain.
• Plan, monitor, and report on category-specific objectives, implementing targets and measures.
• Define and implement negotiation strategies, carry out cost and contract negotiations, and lead supplier contract management.
• Perform market assessments and identify risks to prevent potential difficulties.
• Participate in projects to gather information, take proactive measures, and optimize internal processes.
• Involve early in business strategy and demand planning, deriving challenges and strategies for competitive advantage.

Team Work

• Act as part of the team and support team members; coach junior members as required.

Experience required

• Experience working in a regulated environment, ideally in Financial Services.
• Extensive Category Management and Sourcing experience, ideally with IT procurement (software, infrastructure, services).
• Strong communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Good project management skills with a track record of meeting deadlines.
• Attention to detail and strategic thinking ability.
• Flexible approach to evolving situations.
• Ability to build strong internal and external business partnerships.
• Motivated, positive, and innovative mindset.

Why should you join us?

ICBC Standard Bank Plc (ICBCS) is a leading financial markets and commodities bank with a global presence and a unique Chinese and African heritage. Headquartered in London, with operations in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York.

We value diversity and foster an inclusive culture, with active employee networks and a commitment to equal opportunities.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive pay, annual bonus, pension, insurance benefits, and flexible working options.
• Family-friendly policies, wellbeing programs, community engagement, and development opportunities.

If you're excited to join our team, get in touch. We'd love to hear from you!

Note: ICBCS has appointed Robert Walters Outsourcing to manage its recruitment process. Unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies will not be accepted.