Senior Category Manager - Travel, Events & HR

Manor Royal Business District; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Early finish on Fridays

28 days annual leave (plus bank hols)

Volunteer day

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover & EAP

Employee discounts

Gym discounts

Job summary

Thales UK is seeking a Category Manager for Travel, Events, HR & Communications in Crawley with hybrid working. You will implement Group category strategies across the UK and maximise value from a diverse supplier base, acting as the commercial owner of strategic supplier relationships.

The role focuses on cost savings delivery, supplier governance and stakeholder engagement, with governance, tendering, renewals and risk management at the core of daily activities. Security clearance is required.

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

Supplier governance

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Cost savings

Contract management

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent

Job description

Thales UK is seeking a Category Manager for Travel, Events, HR & Communications in Crawley with hybrid working. You will implement Group category strategies across the UK and maximise value from a diverse supplier base, acting as the commercial owner of strategic supplier relationships.

The role focuses on cost savings delivery, supplier governance and stakeholder engagement, with governance, tendering, renewals and risk management at the core of daily activities. Security clearance is required.