Indirect Procurement - Category Manager

VetPartners; York; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent animal healthcare company in York is seeking an experienced Category Manager for indirect procurement. This role focuses on sourcing goods and managing supplier contracts to enhance cost efficiency. Candidates must have significant experience in procurement within a large company and strong negotiation skills. The position offers a hybrid working model, combining in-office and remote work, along with attractive benefits including health perks and a buy/sell holiday scheme.

Benefits

Hybrid working with three days in York

25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays

Health Shield and perks

Cycle to Work scheme

Enhanced family leave and pay

Company sick pay

Discounted veterinary fees

Qualifications

• Significant experience in procurement within a large company, particularly in indirect categories.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Experience with procurement and contract management tools.

Responsibilities

• Work with internal departments to understand needs and provide procurement support.
• Conduct market research and manage supplier RFIs/RFPs.
• Negotiate and execute contracts across various transactions.

Skills

Strong negotiation skills

Good commercial acumen

Excellent analytical skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent

CIPS qualification desirable

Tools

SAP Ariba

Coupa

Oracle

PowerBI

Job description

Overview

Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Non - IT) | VetPartners Limited, York (Hybrid)

VetPartners is a group of well-respected small animal, equine, mixed, and farm practices across the UK and parts of Europe. The organisation focuses on the development and wellbeing of its people. You will join our procurement team in York, focusing on sourcing goods and services essential for the company’s operations and managing 3rd party supplier contracts and relationships. You will contribute to improving cost efficiency and managing indirect 3rd party spend across categories such as business services, professional services, marketing, HR services, property and facilities, fleet, etc. Technology is not a must, with main focus on fleet, office supplies, energy and utilities, insurance, professional services, and travel and expenses. You will support the senior procurement manager and the group indirect procurement director under the Commercial / Operations umbrella in driving category strategies and efficiencies to demonstrate value to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Demand Management: Work with internal departments to understand needs and provide procurement support accordingly.
• Sourcing: Conduct market research, identify potential suppliers, run supplier RFIs/RFPs and manage price quotations.
• New supplier onboarding and setup.
• Spend Analytics: Gather, interpret and apply spend data and market intelligence to drive insights and support category plans.
• Negotiating Contracts: Draft, evaluate, negotiate, and execute contracts across various transactions.
• Cost Management: Focus on reducing costs and managing the total cost of ownership for purchases.
• Process Improvement: Drive ideas to optimise procurement processes and tools for greater efficiency.
• Relationship Management: Maintain relationships with suppliers and customers, serving as the main contact for contract matters.
• Supplier Performance Management: Conduct regular supplier reviews, hold suppliers to delivery obligations and SLAs, coordinate service reviews, and act as escalation point.
• Compliance and Monitoring: Ensure contracts comply with company policies and regulatory guidelines; monitor performance and implementation.
• Documentation and Records: Maintain accurate contract records including correspondence and documentation.
• Advising and Training: Provide advice on contract terms, recommend approved suppliers, and route demand through approved channels.

Experience / Skills

Experience:

• Significant experience in procurement within a large company, with demonstrable experience in indirect categories and supplier-related activities.
• Experience in entrepreneurial, acquisitive and/or private equity backed environments desirable but not essential. Experience in a related sector (e.g., Healthcare) advantageous.

Skills:

• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Good commercial acumen.
• Understanding of supplier contracts, ordering process, pricing and invoicing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to influence outcomes across all levels of the business.
• Team player who understands how their work contributes to overall success.
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and able to work independently or as part of a team.
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to produce accurate work quickly and derive insights from data.
• Experience with procurement, contract management, finance or business analytics tools (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, PowerBI).
• Educated to degree level or equivalent; CIPS qualification desirable but not essential.

Benefits

• Hybrid working with three days in York and two days from home.
• 25 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays
• Buy and sell holiday scheme
• Health Shield and perks (discounts including gym memberships & retail)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Enhanced family leave and pay (paternity, maternity, adoption, shared parental leave, surrogacy)
• Company sick pay
• Discounted veterinary fees
• Focus on employee wellbeing

If this sounds like the role for you, please apply today!

Please Apply Directly - Strictly No Agency Submissions