Strategic Category Manager: Travel, Events & HR

Thales; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Half day Friday

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life cover

Employee Assistance Program

Discount schemes

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Thales UK is seeking a Category Manager to drive Group category strategies across the UK, acting as the commercial owner for strategic suppliers and delivering measurable cost savings.

You will lead governance, negotiate renewals, manage supplier performance and engage with senior stakeholders to optimise the UK supplier landscape. Hybrid role based in Crawley with security clearance requirements.

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

Strategic supplier management

Cost savings delivery

Supplier governance

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier performance

Analytical negotiation

CIPS qualification desirable

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent

Job description

Thales UK is seeking a Category Manager to drive Group category strategies across the UK, acting as the commercial owner for strategic suppliers and delivering measurable cost savings.

You will lead governance, negotiate renewals, manage supplier performance and engage with senior stakeholders to optimise the UK supplier landscape. Hybrid role based in Crawley with security clearance requirements.