Category Manager - Construction / Property

I'm working with a leading global business who are looking for a Property Category Manager to join them on a permanent basis. You will be required in London 3 days per week to begin with. The role has a base of up to GBP80,000 + great benefits and bonus scheme.

- Support the Property function in the development & delivery of procurement strategies across Store Equipment, Construction fit out and Professional Services contractors
- Build meaningful and close relationships with Procurement team members and stakeholders from the wider business in the Property area including but not limited to Store Design, Development & Project Delivery, Cost Management and Property Finance teams
- Develop 3-year category plans in line with the procurement and the relevant business strategy
- End to end delivery of category plans, from strategy through implementation and benefits realisation ensuring appropriate balance of cost, service, risk
- Manage all Source to Contract activity, taking responsibility for the development and approval of sourcing strategies, market testing, negotiation and contract award and signature.
- Ongoing contract management to ensure the contracted service continues to meet business requirements and contracts are reflective of the service delivered and are in line with the contracting policy
- Manage supplier relationships within the category and where appropriate identify and implement opportunities to reduce cost and continuously improve.
- Manage and report on all operational, commercial and supply chain risk for the managed category
- Develop a risk mindset, ensuring risks are understand and managed through the supply chain
- Opportunity to build or develop Procurement skills and support key sourcing initiatives across categories
- Drive commercial change within the business to deliver value and ensure there is always a balance between cost and service
- Identification of continuous improvement opportunities, as well as introducing best practice methodology in the procurement of Store Development fit out and construction contracts
- Meet agreed performance objectives and ways of working; identify and progress areas for personal development

Knowledge / Skills & Experience:

- +3 years of procurement experience, preferably within Store Development and Construction procurement areas
- Ability to work across categories to support team members
- Find solutions where traditional procurement practices do not fit the usual requirement, using critical thinking to find the correct solution
- Have an entrepreneurial mindset, being able to challenge and influence stakeholders in the right way
- Possess a good understanding of commercial issues and a problem-solving mentality
- Strong communication, influencing and networking skills
- Creates a clear plan for themselves and inputs to the team plan to deliver short to medium term business priorities
- Takes responsibility for delivering results when there is uncertainty
- Proven excellence in negotiation
- Experience of Contract drafting including development of schedules, commercials, and appropriate terms and conditions
- Experience of managing supplier relationships to ensure delivery to the agreed quality, cost and time