Global Category Manager HR Services

DS Smith; London; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Global Category Manager specializing in HR Services to join their Indirects Category Team. This pivotal role involves driving value and cost reduction across a diverse portfolio of HR services, including recruitment, payroll, and benefits. The successful candidate will leverage their procurement expertise to create innovative strategies that align with business goals, focusing on sustainability and stakeholder engagement. If you are passionate about procurement and ready to make a significant impact in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in procurement related to HR Services.
• Ability to develop and implement category strategies effectively.

Responsibilities

• Drive value and cost reduction across HR Services spend.
• Develop and implement category strategies with execution roadmaps.

Skills

Procurement

Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Skills

Negotiation

Project Management

ESG Strategies

Education

Bachelor's Degree

CIPS or EU Equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Global Category Manager HR Services page is loaded

Global Category Manager HR Services

Ansøg remote type Distancearbejde med rejseaktivitet locations London Amsterdam time type Full time posted on Slået op for 2 dage siden time left to apply Slutdato: 8. juni 2025 (Der kan stadig ansøges i 27 dage) job requisition id R-8413

About the role

Here at DS Smith, we are looking for an experienced Global Category Manager specialising in HR Services to join our Indirects Category Team.

Reporting to the Head of Indirects Procurement, the Global Category Manager – Human Resource (HR) Services is responsible for driving holistic value and cost reduction across an assigned portfolio of spend. This spend includes HR Services expenses across all divisions, covering recruitment, contract labour, learning and development, employee payroll and benefits, pensions, and health insurance. The role also involves identifying and implementing ESG strategies within the category. Key stakeholders are across the group and all divisions.

The successful candidate will create value by building and implementing innovative category strategies and procurement solutions that deliver a competitive supply base for DS Smith across all HR Services expenses. You will work collaboratively as part of the Indirects Category Team, partnering with other team members.

Responsibilities

• Shape and align the Indirects Procurement strategy to support business goals including growth, innovation, ESG (inc. Scope 3), and manufacturing excellence.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure competitive sourcing of quality products and services, maintaining strong relationships with strategic suppliers aligned with group ESG and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.
• Create innovative business offerings that support business growth and delight customers.

Key responsibilities

• Provide commercial thought leadership to mature the HR Services category, leveraging external best practices.
• Develop and implement 1-3 year category strategies with execution roadmaps to deliver short, medium, and long-term initiatives.
• Utilize tools like Porter's Five Forces and Kraljic analysis to understand market dynamics and cost drivers specific to HR & L&D.
• Engage and influence stakeholders at all levels to maximize the impact of the category strategy.
• Develop a deep understanding of supplier capabilities, industry trends, and roadmaps for key products/services.
• Deliver supplier strategies that anticipate and mitigate risks such as sole supplier dependence, financial health issues, data privacy, and modern slavery, ensuring a secure and compliant supply chain.
• Ensure appropriate supplier contracting strategies are in place to mitigate legal and regulatory risks.
• Collaborate with legal and stakeholders to develop framework agreements for supply and maintenance, usable across regions.
• Embed and monitor relevant supplier KPIs and standards into contracts to meet business needs.
• Work with Shared Services, Regional Procurement teams, and stakeholders to communicate preferred supplier arrangements, ensuring compliance and visibility.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers based on segmentation models, conducting regular reviews and re-aligning strategies as needed.
• Include H&S clauses in contracts and manage non-compliance issues effectively.

About you

• Strong knowledge and experience in procurement roles within HR Services.
• Experience leading transformational change in procurement, especially in matrix environments.
• Proven success in developing and implementing 1-3 year category strategies.
• Ability to deliver targeted savings and value improvements.
• Experience in manufacturing industries is preferred but not essential.
• CIPS or EU equivalent qualification is desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience managing complex procurement negotiations.
• Strong influencing skills in matrix organizations.
• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills.
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion in all interactions.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Fluency in English; additional European languages are advantageous.
• Capable negotiator with a track record of high-value, complex deals.

About us

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, paper products, and recycling services across more than 30 countries. We are investing in our future through Innovation (R&D), Sustainability, and Digital & Data initiatives.

“To fulfill our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. We value inclusion, fairness, and equal opportunities for all.”

Our diverse backgrounds and perspectives help us generate innovative solutions for sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates, even those not meeting all criteria.”

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