Reporting to the Head of Procurement the Senior Category Manager is a highly visible role which will develop and drive the Procurement strategy for specific categories as well as other areas of spend where the business may require support.
This Senior Category Manager role will join a developing function and as an experienced member of the Procurement team, this individual will be expected to provide into and support Procurement strategic decision making and coaching of team members across the function.
The role of Senior Category Manager
Act as a business partner to various departments depending on specific categories in scope, their Directors and heads of department in these categories, understanding business strategy and providing creative challenge and thought leadership which influences and supports business decision making.
Anticipate procurement challenges, ensuring those departments are equipped with the right sourcing strategies to deliver the best possible commercial outcomes, ensuring clarity around areas such as risks, routes to market, resource commitments, supply market dynamics, competitive strategies and delivery plans.
Develop and maintaining clear and current category plans for all spend areas under their influence, aligned to the business objectives, which identify a pipeline of procurement opportunities.
Use internal and external technology category data, relationships and insight to formulate a clear point of view on business investment decisions, stimulate creative conversations and encourage innovative thinking within the business.
Lead the delivery of a breadth of procurement initiatives, on occasion highly complex and high value, using best in class sourcing solutions such as e-Procurement, e-auctioning and strategic sourcing.
Leading high-value, complex commercial and contractual negotiations, working with stakeholders, Finance and Legal to close negotiations with contracts which fully protect commercial and operational risks and interests.
Lead category Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activity to ensure strategic supplier management is considered in all purchase decisions.
Experience of the Senior Category Manager
Extensive experience in procurement in a range of categories.
Previous telecommunications or technology experience essential.
Deep understanding of Procurement basics - contract law, category management, negotiation, market dynamics, commercial strategy, strategic sourcing.
Ability to translate business needs into legal and commercial requirements based on customer centric business partnering.
Production of high-quality work products including Contracts, Financial Analysis, RFP's etc. that are fit for purpose in the category being supported and that ensure on time delivery.
Leadership experience of developing complex, category, budget and supplier strategies.
Significant experience of running substantive end to end Procurement projects.
Excellent leadership skills, either directly or cross functionally and able to coach and support teams and team members alike.
Ability to communicate complex challenges in simple terms.
Strategically minded and creative, able to translate a vision into clear methodical plans.
This Senior Category Manager role will suit candidates who have previous Procurement, Purchasing or Category Management experience in a Telecomms environment.