At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities for External Talent sourcing and contracting, ensuring top talent for client projects.
- Company: Join Accenture, a global leader in consulting and technology with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work across global teams and develop leadership skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by managing strategic supplier partnerships and enhancing talent acquisition.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, category management, and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Location
London
Working arrangement
Hybrid
Career Level
The Role
We are looking for an experienced
Procurement Category Manager to join our UKIA Procurement Plus organisation, leading activities across the
External Talent Sourcing & Contracting category.
External Talent is one of the largest and most strategically important categories within Accenture's UK, Ireland and Africa (UKIA) market unit.
This role will play a key part in ensuring we have the right external talent and supplier partnerships in place to support our client projects and wider business objectives.
You'll work closely with stakeholders across Procurement, Category Management, Legal and Operations, taking ownership of sourcing, supplier and contract management activities across the External Talent category.
What You'll Do
- Category Strategy & Management
- Support the implementation of Global and Regional External Talent category strategies across UKIA.
- Deliver local category projects and sourcing initiatives aligned to wider Procurement and category objectives.
- Support category planning, governance and strategic initiatives.
- Build and manage strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior business leaders and Client Account Leads.
- Manage External Talent projects through Accenture's Syn Ops system.
- Drive adherence to procurement processes and compliance requirements.
- Participate actively in the wider category community and contribute to a collaborative team culture.
- Sourcing & Procurement
- Lead and support sourcing and contracting projects from initial market research through to supplier award.
- Use Accenture's sourcing methodology to drive value through sourcing, negotiation and contracting activities.
- Conduct market research and identify potential suppliers.
- Develop technical specifications based on stakeholder requirements.
- Design and develop RFP documentation in line with Global and Regional strategies.
- Utilise e-sourcing and e-auction tools where appropriate.
- Lead supplier evaluation and commercial negotiations.
- Prepare supplier recommendations and decision materials for stakeholders.
- Manage the supplier award process and support implementation.
- Contract Management
- Negotiate and deploy supplier contracts in partnership with Accenture's Legal teams.
- Ensure contracts include appropriate performance measures, KPIs and SLAs.
- Manage contract execution and ensure agreements are signed by all relevant parties.
- Support implementation of Local Country Addendums to Global and Regional agreements.
- Ensure contracts are accurately stored and maintained within relevant contract repositories and archiving tools.
- Ensure compliance with local legislation, regulations and Accenture policies.
- Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key local suppliers.
- Lead supplier performance management activities, ensuring agreed KPIs and metrics are achieved.
- Promote the use of Global and Regional Strategic Providers and preferred suppliers.
- Monitor supplier performance and stakeholder feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain and support the preferred supplier list and drive adoption of negotiated agreements.
- Stakeholder Management
- Partner with stakeholders across Category Management, Procurement, Legal and Operations.
- Act as a key escalation point for sourcing and supplier-related challenges.
- Gather and manage stakeholder feedback on category performance and supplier delivery.
- Ensure strong communication and collaboration across multiple functions and seniority levels.
- Reporting & Insights
- Maintain monthly reporting for the UKIA External Talent category.
- Identify opportunities to enhance management information and provide greater insight into category performance.
- Monitor key KPIs, including preferred supplier usage and contract compliance, taking appropriate action where required.
- People Management
- Supervise and support assigned team members across both onshore and nearshore locations.
- Foster collaboration, engagement and high performance within the team.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with strong experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing and supplier management , ideally within a large, complex or global organisation.
You will be comfortable managing multiple stakeholders and projects simultaneously, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with operational delivery.
Experience within
External Talent, Professional Services, Resourcing or Contingent Workforce categories would be highly beneficial.
- You'll also bring
- Strong sourcing, negotiation and commercial management skills.
- Experience managing supplier relationships and performance.
- Contract management experience and confidence working alongside Legal teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.
- An understanding of procurement governance, compliance and risk requirements.
- The ability to work effectively across global, regional and local teams.
- Experience supervising or managing team members would be advantageous.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
UKI External Talent Category Delivery Lead employer: Accenture
Accenture is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in a dynamic environment, particularly in the role of Operations Engineer. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with senior colleagues while enjoying flexible work arrangements that promote a healthy work-life balance. The company's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation makes it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UKI External Talent Category Delivery Lead
✨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 Accenture.
✨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 UKI External Talent Category Delivery Lead
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 Accenture:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Accenture. 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 Accenture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Accenture
✨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 Accenture!
✨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 Accenture. 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 Accenture's culture.
