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- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing for HR and Travel services, driving innovation and cost-effectiveness.
- Company: Join a values-driven organisation that prioritises collaboration and professional growth.
- Benefits: Exceptional career opportunities, competitive salary, and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in a globally connected procurement function.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree preferred; experience in HR or Travel categories is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong stakeholder engagement and multi-country negotiations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
HR and Travel Procurement Category Manager employer: 1st Executive
Contact Detail:
1st Executive Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR and Travel Procurement Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in HR and Travel sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals. Remember, it’s all about demonstrating that you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the best candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get clicking and let’s land that dream job together!
We think you need these skills to ace HR and Travel Procurement Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of HR and Travel Procurement Category Manager. Highlight your experience in strategic sourcing and category management, especially in HR and Travel. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to our collaborative culture. Share specific examples of how you've built strong relationships and driven process improvements in previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, don’t forget to mention any relevant tools or methodologies you’ve used. Whether it's Excel or e-sourcing platforms, we want to know how you leverage data to make informed decisions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make an impact!
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Executive
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the HR and Travel procurement landscape. Familiarise yourself with current trends, challenges, and innovations in these areas. This will not only show your passion but also help you engage in meaningful discussions with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in building strong relationships with stakeholders. Think about times when you translated business needs into effective sourcing solutions. Being able to articulate these experiences will demonstrate your ability to influence decision-making.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you've developed and executed category strategies in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your strategic approach, especially in managing complex sourcing initiatives. This will showcase your capability to align with organisational objectives.
✨Highlight Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires strong analytical capabilities, prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive efficiencies or improve processes. Bring along any relevant metrics or performance outcomes from previous roles to back up your claims and impress the interviewers.
