Strategic Category Manager: Supplier Value & Savings

Thales Group; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Friday half-day

28 days annual leave

Volunteer day

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

Employee assistance program

Discounts on major brands

Gym membership

Job summary

Thales Group in Crawley, UK, is seeking a Category Manager to implement UK group category strategies, maximise value from a diverse supplier base, and act as the commercial owner for strategic supplier relationships.

You will drive governance, negotiations and performance improvements, engage senior stakeholders and lead supplier consolidation to optimise the UK supply base. A strong track record in procurement and negotiation is essential.

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

Cost savings delivery

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Performance improvement

Supply base optimisation

Analytical skills

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Thales Group in Crawley, UK, is seeking a Category Manager to implement UK group category strategies, maximise value from a diverse supplier base, and act as the commercial owner for strategic supplier relationships.

You will drive governance, negotiations and performance improvements, engage senior stakeholders and lead supplier consolidation to optimise the UK supply base. A strong track record in procurement and negotiation is essential.