Category Specialist – Procurement

We are seeking a Specialist to contribute to the development and assist with the implementation of a Category Strategy for assigned spend categories, balancing short and long-term objectives to meet business strategy and efficiencies. The Category Specialist, with the Category Team, is responsible for securing and tracking cost reduction, contract management and continuity of Supply Chain

Key accountabilities:

• Prepare and support with the execution of strategic sourcing activities in line with approved category strategy and preferred suppliers list
• Prepare input and support the execution of Supplier Relationship Management for key suppliers within the assigned categories, including supplier segmentation, contract management, supplier risks identification and mitigation and suppliers performance.
• Support the monitoring of supplier performance, ensuring that suppliers meet contractual obligations using the Supplier Performance Card or specific contractual KPI and SLA and secure commercial compensation for supplier contractual non-compliance.
• Prepare and assist with external management review meetings with segmented suppliers (Management Business Reviews and Executive Business Reviews)
• Drive operational efficiency in alignment with the Supply Chain Processes and Strategies as well as performance of all activities in line with Supply Chain targets and the Category Group team targets.
• Contribute to the development and drive the implementation of the Category Strategy to deliver cost effective category solutions and business models for assigned categories.
• Supplier base management and supplier classification (Preferred Supplier List – PSL), securing competition in the supplier base.
• Deliver Category targets and KPI’s for assigned spend categories.
• Business Intelligence and Benchmark including business intelligence and supplier market analysis, benchmark potential suppliers and market insight to support category development.
• Assist in appropriate management of commercial risks, forecast spend and change impacts with key stakeholders

Key requirements:

• Effective interpersonal skills with good verbal, written, presentation, influencing & negotiation skills
• Good IT literacy, able to pick up system skills and knowledge to access and analyse relevant data. Understands system role and how to access relevant information within procurement, commissioning & performance management
• A working understanding of procurement, commissioning and contract management activity and its contribution to achieving strategic and service aims and objectives
• An understanding of a category management approach to procurement
• Experience of purchasing a number of types of goods & services
• Supplier Relationship Management.
• Stakeholders Collaboration experience.

If you consider yourself to have a disability or if you are a veteran, and you meet the essential criteria for the role, you will be put forward for the ‘Guaranteed Interview’ scheme whereby you will have the opportunity to discuss this role and your suitability with a member of the Sourcing team.

If you are successful in securing this role, please note that for the entire duration of this contract, regardless of extension you will be working this role at the equivalent PAYE rate that has been advertised. For absolute clarity, we only work on a PAYE basis. If you wish to understand PAYE vs Umbrella more, please let us know and we can send you some additional information.