At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and manage stakeholder relationships in a top-tier bank.
- Company: Join a prestigious investment bank known for its commitment to excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working with competitive pay and opportunities for contract extensions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while collaborating with diverse teams in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in strategic sourcing, ideally within corporate services; CIPS or similar certification preferred.
- Other info: This role offers exposure to high-value negotiations and project management in a fast-paced setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.
Job Description
Global Category Manager β Corporate Services
Investment Banking (Top Tier Bank)
- Contract: 6 months (+ extensions)
- Location: London, UK
- Flexi: once a week onsite
- Rate: Β£500/day PAYE (equiv. to Β£700/day Umbrella)
JOB SCOPE
Supply Chain Management (SCM) is responsible for the overall commercial management of how the Bank engages and spends money with its external third-party vendors. To meet increasing business and efficiency, the SCM team is looking for a candidate with strong experience in sourcing / procurement and the gravitas to engage stakeholders within the business function to support key priorities. The successful candidate will be responsible for influencing and executing sourcing activities in collaboration with various business function and related support teams and must be able to demonstrate excellence in negotiating favourable commercial outcomes.
Sitting within the SCM Team, the Global Category Manager β is responsible for the overall pro-active stakeholder and commercial management of assigned areas. Exposure to any corporate services is welcomed.
Responsibilities
Strategy
- Liaise with the business functions leads to produce a needs assessment that is aligned to their business plans
- Feeds into the category management strategy that focuses on supplier cost reduction, alignment to sustainability aspirations, through needs assessments, consolidation and expense / demand management
- Performs the role within the operating model
- Execute sourcing strategies to ensure continuity of cost-effectiveness and quality of supply
- Collaborate with country teams to align preferred channels and suppliers
Business
- Creates and builds function level senior management stakeholder relationships, influences on the ground decision making to ensure that sourcing is managed in compliance with Standards
- Maintains engagement level stakeholder relationships to advise and guide the stakeholder through the Sourcing process
- Guides Business Stakeholders through the procurement decision-making process.
- Ensure the intrinsic business value of the SCM category management framework is communicated and understood by the business.
- Provides guidance on SCM process, systems, policy and procedure
- Assist stakeholders in achieving their strategic objectives through careful sourcing of relevant suppliers to fulfil their needs
Commercials and contracting
- Influences the buy decisions
- Lead complex deal negotiation including fees at risk models
- Manages complex competitive sourcing tender with high deal value without supervision
- Proactively looks for opportunities to create value in the organisation, leveraging cost optimisation
- Carry out effective negotiations and contracting which contribute to sustainable commercial advantages for the business and best in class commercial terms
- Influences the internal and third party decisioning regarding contracts completion, plays a lead role in brokering the parties to reach complete the agreement. Fronts discussions regarding strengths and weaknesses of the agreement as applies to commercial elements.
- Leads the contractual negotiation with the supplier, accurately interprets contractual terms into risks, and supports the closing of contractual blockages through to completion
Project Management
- Identifies and mitigates risks that would impact the overall project success/failure.
- Ensures projects are prioritized and delivered against agreed timelines
- Supports, leads and executes sourcing initiatives.
Cross Functional Engagement
- Work in a highly effective Supply Chain Management (SCM) team that will deliver commercial agreements that exceed stakeholder and client expectation.
- Keeps open channels of communication to ensure high level of engagement
- Contribute to process improvement initiatives
Qualifications
- Academic or Professional Education/Qualifications; Educated at undergraduate level
- Licenses and Certifications/accreditations; CIPS or similar
- Professional Memberships; CIPS or similar
Experience
- At least 6 yearsβ working experience in strategic sourcing procurement in Corporate Services categories (including HR, Travel, Business Process Outsourcing, Professional Services, Consulting) and project management.
- Previous experience of working within the Financial Services is an advantage
- Relevant experience in stakeholder management (i.e. practices, leadership, effectiveness).
- Specialized knowledge or skills required
- Able to use ERP systems such as SAP, Ariba and Microsoft Office Excel.
- Good working knowledge of contracts & familiar with legal agreements
- Advanced commercial knowledge in procurement and project management.
- Advanced business management skills including stakeholder management, commercial judgment and process improvement.
Thank you for considering us!
Global Category Manager employer: Allegis Global Solutions
Contact Detail:
Allegis Global Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Global Category Manager
β¨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the investment banking and corporate services sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in sourcing and procurement.
β¨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific ERP systems mentioned in the job description, such as SAP and Ariba. Consider taking online courses or tutorials to enhance your skills and demonstrate your proficiency during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the bank's recent projects and initiatives in supply chain management. This will help you understand their priorities and allow you to tailor your responses to show how you can add value.
β¨Tip Number 4
Practice your negotiation skills through role-playing scenarios with friends or colleagues. Being able to articulate your approach to complex deal negotiations will be crucial in showcasing your expertise during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Category Manager
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, particularly in Corporate Services categories. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific experiences where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or negotiated contracts, as these are key aspects of the job.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your advanced commercial knowledge in procurement and project management. Include any experience with ERP systems like SAP or Ariba, as well as your ability to manage complex negotiations.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Global Category Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Allegis Global Solutions
β¨Research the Company and Role
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research the bank and its SCM team. Understand their values, recent projects, and how the Global Category Manager role fits into their overall strategy. This will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest.
β¨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Given the importance of stakeholder management in this role, be ready to discuss your experience in building relationships and influencing decision-making. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to engage with senior management and guide them through procurement processes.
β¨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
As a Global Category Manager, you'll need to lead complex negotiations. Be prepared to discuss past negotiation experiences, focusing on the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved. Highlight any instances where you created value or overcame significant challenges.
β¨Demonstrate Your Project Management Expertise
This role requires strong project management skills. Be ready to talk about how you've identified and mitigated risks in previous projects, prioritised tasks, and ensured timely delivery. Use specific examples to illustrate your approach and success in managing projects.