At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy for consultancy and professional services on a global scale.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on delivering commercial value and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working model, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on building long-term stakeholder relationships.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact while managing significant spend areas in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to lead category strategy across consultancy, professional services, and labour spend on a global scale. This role is responsible for delivering commercial value, cost optimisation, supplier performance, and strategic sourcing initiatives while partnering closely with senior stakeholders across a complex and highly demanding business environment. Working within a global procurement function, you will be accountable for significant spend areas and play a key role in shaping sourcing strategies across multiple business functions. This position would suit a commercially minded, resilient individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building long-term stakeholder relationships, and is looking for a role where they can make a lasting impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of category strategies, delivering cost savings, value creation, demand management, and innovation.
- Manage end-to-end sourcing activities, including complex global tenders and procurement projects.
- Lead commercial negotiations and contract discussions with strategic consultancy and labour suppliers.
- Identify and evaluate new sourcing, outsourcing, and market opportunities to drive business value.
- Build and maintain influential relationships with senior stakeholders across business and functional areas.
- Support the development of outcome-based commercial models, Statements of Work (SOWs), and consultancy engagements.
- Educate and challenge stakeholders through discovery and sourcing phases to ensure optimum commercial outcomes.
- Monitor supplier markets, emerging trends, and new service offerings to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.
- Drive procurement compliance, governance, and best practice across the organisation.
- Support post-contract supplier management and ongoing value delivery initiatives.
About You
- Proven experience in category management across consultancy, professional services, contingent labour, or non-permanent workforce categories.
- Strong track record of leading complex sourcing initiatives and high-value commercial negotiations.
- Experience operating within large, complex, enterprise-scale organisations, ideally within financial services, consulting, or similarly regulated environments.
- Comfortable managing significant spend portfolios and engaging with senior stakeholders across multiple business functions.
- Experience working with major consultancy providers and negotiating consultancy-based commercial arrangements would be highly advantageous.
- Strong understanding of outcome-based contracts, deliverable-led Statements of Work, and consultancy procurement models.
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
- Resilient, proactive, and collaborative, with a genuine team-player mentality and a hands-on, can-do approach.
- Strong commercial acumen, analytical capability, and experience applying procurement and sourcing methodologies.
Location UK-based with a flexible hybrid working model. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced category manager with the confidence, credibility, and commercial expertise to operate in a highly visible global role, delivering measurable value across consultancy, professional services, and labour spend categories.
Procurement Category Manager - Professional Services & Labour in Leeds employer: 1st Executive
Join a dynamic and innovative global procurement team that values collaboration, resilience, and strategic thinking. With a flexible hybrid working model based in the UK, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, ensuring you have the tools and opportunities to make a significant impact in your role. Our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement makes us an exceptional employer for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced environment while building meaningful relationships with senior stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Manager - Professional Services & Labour in Leeds
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like 1st Executive.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Manager - Professional Services & Labour in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to 1st Executive:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to 1st Executive. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like 1st Executive.
How to prepare for a job interview at 1st Executive
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at 1st Executive!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at 1st Executive. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into 1st Executive's culture.
