At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and manage supplier relationships to drive strategic objectives.
- Company: A2Dominion, a leading UK housing association focused on providing homes people love.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days holiday, up to 8% pension contribution, and health benefits allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and offers excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while supporting a mission-driven organisation.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or MCIPS accredited, with experience in public procurement.
This role offers hybrid working, with the office based in Ealing.
About A2Dominion: We are a UK housing association committed to a new vision – providing homes people love to live in. With over 38,000 homes in management across London and southern England, we provide a wide range of homes for social, affordable, and private rent, specialist services, as well as homes for sale and shared ownership.
Role Overview: As a Category Manager, you will play a key role in strengthening A2Dominion's procurement function, supporting the delivery of strategic objectives and transformation programmes across the organisation. Working closely with stakeholders across the business, you will lead end-to-end sourcing and procurement activities, manage supplier relationships, support contract performance and value delivery, and contribute to the implementation of procurement best practice and regulatory change.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supporting the Procurement Business Partner/Head of Category in delivering the relevant category strategies, as well as taking ownership of various sub-categories, including leading end-to-end tender projects, management of framework agreements and other projects where appropriate.
- Work closely with Head of Procurement Operations to enable a smooth transition to the new procurement regulations and contract management system.
- Carry out category and sub-category support activities (via category strategies) as directed by line management.
- Liaise with wider organisation and colleagues to ensure consistent and compliant approach to procurement and contract management.
- Overseeing successful contract implementations, attending scheduled contract review meetings with the internal stakeholders to support them in ensuring that supplier performance is being met against the agreed SLAs and KPIs. Providing solutions to contract related problems.
- Following up with the internal stakeholders and supply chain on actions resulting from performance review meetings.
- To develop/maintain appropriate supplier and customer relationships in line with agreed strategy for a specific category or sub-category under best practice contract management mode.
- Effective coordination of Category Management activity to ensure delivery of overall team objectives, including monitoring activities within ECM (Enterprise Contract Management portal in D365 and P2P).
- Support the management of and report on supplier performance, taking corrective actions where necessary.
- Identification of Continuous Improvement opportunities within the Category and Contract Management.
- Support the ongoing performance; commercial and risk management of the portfolio suppliers.
- Be an active team player, supporting colleagues within procurement and taking on ad-hoc duties when needs arise.
More about you:
- MCIPS accredited or educated to degree level, with a willingness to undertake Professional Stage CIPS qualifications.
- Experience of performance monitoring and reporting against policy/project/contractual or SLA requirements.
- Proven experience of leading end-to-end public procurement procedures in accordance with UK public procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023.
- Experienced in working on procurement transformation.
- Experienced in developing and successful delivery of Corporate and Professional Services procurements, contract management, realizing cashable and non-cashable benefits, influencing and making recommendations.
- Strong understanding of contract law principles, commercial terms and conditions, and contract management best practice.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) to enable the development of relationships both internally and externally.
- Experience of pre and post commercial administration of contracts and managing supplier performance.
- IT Skills – Good working knowledge of current category platforms as well as standard MS Office platforms and Tendering Portals.
Why A2Dominion? As an employee of A2Dominion, we want you to feel rewarded and have a choice of flexible benefits, salary exchange benefits, and rewards and discounts that work for you, wherever you are in your life. We offer a wide range of staff benefits. For this role, these include:
- 25 days’ holiday (Plus Bank Holidays).
- Up to 8% contributory pension.
- In addition, all permanent and fixed-term employees receive a generous annual allowance of up to £300 to use towards health and lifestyle benefits for both you and your family.
Diversity & Inclusion: We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, and we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the process - just contact our Resourcing Team. We know some people hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement. If that’s you, we encourage you to apply if your skills and experience align – please get in touch with us to talk it through. At A2Dominion, we value diversity, embrace flexibility, and are a family-friendly employer. Everyone belongs here. Join us and help make a lasting difference in the lives of our customers.
Category Manager x2 in Ealing employer: A2Dominion
Join a dynamic organisation as a Senior HR Advisor, where you will play a pivotal role in enhancing our People Support function. With a hybrid working model based in Ealing, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through coaching and development opportunities. Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a health and lifestyle benefits package, making this an excellent place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager x2 in Ealing
✨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 A2Dominion.
✨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 Category Manager x2 in Ealing
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 A2Dominion:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to A2Dominion. 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 A2Dominion.
How to prepare for a job interview at A2Dominion
✨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 A2Dominion!
✨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 A2Dominion. 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 A2Dominion's culture.
