Indirect Procurement Category Manager

Hiring a procurement professional to optimise supplier relationships, manage indirect spend, negotiate contracts, and deliver commercial value. 

Role Overview

The role is responsible for the end-to-end management of targeted indirect sub-categories, including category planning, stakeholder engagement, supplier management, strategic sourcing and supplier consolidation. The successful candidate will use strong analytical skills to improve spend visibility, identify commercial opportunities and support data-led procurement decisions.

A key priority for the role will be supply chain consolidation and tail-end spend management across targeted indirect sub-categories. This includes moving fragmented or unmanaged spend into approved Preferred Supplier Lists, reducing supplier complexity, improving compliance and supporting cost reduction.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Functional

• Develop and execute category strategies and implementation plans for assigned indirect sub-categories.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activity, including market analysis, RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, tender evaluation, supplier selection and commercial negotiation.
• Conduct spend analysis, supplier mapping, benchmarking and market research to identify savings, risk, compliance and consolidation opportunities.
• Act as a trusted procurement business partner to UK and Ireland stakeholders, translating business requirements into practical sourcing and category plans.
• Manage regular supplier engagement, build value-adding supplier relationships and implement SLAs, KPIs and supplier performance reviews.
• Identify and deliver cost reduction, cost avoidance, supplier rationalisation and value improvement opportunities.
• Lead targeted supplier consolidation activity within assigned indirect sub-categories, reducing duplication and supply chain complexity.
• Drive migration of tail-end, fragmented or non-compliant spend into approved Preferred Supplier Lists and contracted supplier arrangements.
• Create clear reporting on category performance, supplier concentration, spend under management, savings delivery and compliance improvement.
• Support the Head of Indirect Procurement with high-risk, high-value or business-critical procurement activity where required.
• Work with stakeholders to support adoption of preferred suppliers and manage change associated with supplier consolidation.
• Ensure procurement activity is aligned with company policy, governance requirements and ethical procurement standards.
  
  

General

• Avoid conflict of interests between personal interests and the interests of the group.
• Exercise independent judgment, reasonable care, skill, and diligence when carrying out duties.
• Act in good faith and promote the long-term success of each company within the group for the benefit of all members and wider stakeholders.
• Adhere to and promote the group's policies on equality & diversity, information security, health and safety and data protection in the performance of duties and the management of departmental functions.
• Support and promote the group's sustainability plans and policies, including the Carbon Management Plan, and carry out duties in a resource effective way, recognising the shared responsibility of minimising negative environmental impacts wherever possible.
  
  

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Necessary

• 5 years+ procurement experience, including category management or strategic sourcing experience, ideally within indirect procurement categories.
• Strong analytical skill set with the ability to interpret spend data, supplier data and commercial information.
• Experience of end-to-end sourcing activity and supplier negotiations.
• Experience building strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers across multiple functions or business units.
• Understanding of category planning, supplier management, procurement governance and contract compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with UK-based stakeholders from Mauritius.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and confidence preparing reports, analysis and recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Results-driven, commercially minded and confident working independently in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience in supplier consolidation, tail-end spend management or Preferred Supplier List implementation.
• Experience using Power BI, ERP, eProcurement, sourcing or contract management systems.
• Experience within a large, multi-site or international organisation.
• Knowledge of indirect categories such as fleet, professional services, contingent workforce, transport, marketing, technology or facilities-related services.
  
  

Core Expectations

• Show flexibility in working arrangements to ensure that a high level of service is delivered.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Have a positive and focused attitude when dealing with all colleagues.
• Be able to take personal responsibility.
• Have a flexible and positive attitude towards work.
• Be keen to continuously improve own learning and development.
• Support and embed the group's corporate values.
• Can-do attitude and promotion of a supportive culture.
  
  

Key Performance Indicators

• As agreed between you and your line manager on an annual basis.
• Delivery of agreed savings, cost avoidance and commercial value targets.
• Improved spend visibility and spend under management for assigned indirect sub-categories.
• Reduction in fragmented supplier base and increased use of Preferred Supplier Lists.
• Improved contract coverage, supplier compliance and stakeholder adoption.
• Completion of sourcing projects within agreed timelines and governance requirements.
• Improved supplier performance through effective KPIs, SLAs and relationship management.