European Procurement Category Manager

An exciting opportunity to lead a procurement category and manage complex spend across Europe as well as play a big part in the overall development of the procurement function. This is a great time to join the business, with lots of exciting changes across the business and in procurement, as the function develops further into a valued partner.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering European category management strategies. You will build excellent stakeholder relationships and with an understanding of their goals and requirements, use your market knowledge and procurement expertise to drive sustainable best value and reduce risk.

Using both tactical and strategic approaches to engage the market, contract negotiation and supplier management, you will bring challenge, new ideas and solutions to our business. You will help the business think differently about the opportunities and innovations in the market place.

We are looking for candidates with experience of best practice procurement who have also worked in change environments, playing part in developing procurement into a valued, strategic partner. You will be able to link easily between strategic discussions to being hands on with a focus on driving results. Whilst your skills and experience are important, the culture fit is just as important- you will have a passion and enthusiasm for what you do and a natural curiosity to want to ask questions and drive better results in procurement. This is not a business as usual role but one that needs someone comfortable with ambiguity and change who can drive new relationships and processes between the business and the procurement team. We are also looking for:

• Broad procurement knowledge across a range of categories, perhaps across both public and private sectors.
• A focus on engaging with the business, and looking for win-win solutions with suppliers.
• Experience developing new category management methodologies in a complex business.
• Expertise in terms of modern, progressive procurement techniques.
• Procurement qualification (eg. CIPS) preferred but not essential - dependent upon experience.