HR and Travel Procurement Category Manager

Overview

The Category Manager – HR & Travel plays a pivotal role in delivering and implementing global category strategies across HR and Travel services. Working in close partnership with business leaders and suppliers, this role ensures sourcing solutions are innovative, cost-effective, compliant and aligned to organisational objectives. Success in this role relies on strong stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage complex sourcing initiatives end to end.

The organisation fosters a culture built on collaboration, trust, accountability and continuous improvement. Team members are encouraged to challenge thinking, share ideas, and build long-term partnerships that create sustainable value. This role brings exceptional career opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Procurement: Develop and execute category strategies across HR and Travel, including Talent Acquisition, Employee Health and Wellbeing, Benefits, Training, Travel and Fleet. Ensure alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements and internal policies. Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including RFXs, negotiations and contract implementation.
• Business Partnering: Build strong, credible relationships with HR and Travel leaders. Translate business needs into tailored sourcing solutions. Influence decision-making through insight, data and commercial expertise.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Manage strategic and operational supplier relationships. Negotiate commercial terms that balance cost, quality and risk. Foster partnerships that encourage innovation, performance improvement and long-term value.
• Process Improvement and Innovation: Leverage market intelligence and technology to drive efficiencies. Identify and introduce innovative products, services and sourcing approaches. Model costs, test new ideas and measure performance outcomes.
• Governance and Compliance: Ensure appropriate contractual terms and compliance frameworks are in place. Prepare category performance reports for senior procurement leadership.
• Leadership and Impact: Support optimisation of a large, multi-country indirect spend portfolio. Deliver annual savings through structured sourcing initiatives. Represent the organisation professionally within the supplier community.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor\’s degree (preferred).
• Experience managing HR and/or Travel categories (preferred).
• Strong background in global strategic sourcing and category management.
• Experience with multi-country negotiations and complex contracts.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and priorities.
• Experience with e-sourcing and P2P tools (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Ariba or similar).
• Strong analytical, commercial and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint capabilities.

This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact within a globally connected, values-driven procurement function that prioritises collaboration, professional growth and shared success.

Contact: Sally Davis

Email: sally.davis@1st-executive.com

Job ref: 692323-200126_1768924189

Published: 2 days ago

Expiry date: 2026-02-19