As the Category Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing supplier relationships and driving contract performance, on behalf of the business's Property Management clients, ensuring they receive top-tier services. This position requires a strategic operator who excels in business partnering and influencing stakeholders, with supplier relationship management, and contract negotiation expertise.
Key Responsibilities:
- Category Strategy Development: Define and implement category sourcing strategies that align with business needs, focusing on value optimisation and continuous service improvement.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Identify, evaluate, and manage suppliers, fostering strong partnerships that deliver high-quality service and cost-effective solutions.
- Contract Management: Lead contract negotiations to secure advantageous terms and ensure compliance with company procurement policies. Continuously monitor and improve supplier performance through KPIs and SLAs.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders, including finance, operations, and legal teams, to ensure alignment of sourcing strategies with broader business objectives.
- Process Improvement: Continuously assess and enhance sourcing processes, implementing best practices and leveraging digital tools for efficiency and transparency.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate sourcing-related risks, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
Ideal Candidate Experience:
To succeed in this role, the ideal candidate will have:
- Proven Procurement Expertise: 3-5 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management, with a strong track record in managing multiple categories.
- Strong Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Contract Negotiation Skills: Demonstrated success in negotiating contracts, reducing costs, and improving service partner relationships.
- Analytical and Problem-solving Abilities: Strong capability to analyse data, identify trends, and make informed, data-driven decisions.
- Project Management Skills: Well-organised and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, setting priorities and meeting deadlines.
- Continuous Improvement Mindset: A commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence within procurement processes.