At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing projects and manage supplier relationships in a dynamic marketing team.
- Company: Asahi UK, a leader in the Super Premium beer category with exciting partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous perks, wellness initiatives, and electric car leasing access.
- Why this job: Make an impact in Procurement while enjoying a vibrant company culture and career growth.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a detail-oriented mindset.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that supports career pivots and values individuality.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
📍 Location: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in Woking)
đź’° Salary: Competitive + Bonus
✨ Perks: Generous beer allowance, strong pension, wellness initiatives, company discounts & access to an electric car leasing scheme
🌍 Travel: Occasional trips to Europe for Procurement meetings & industry events
🚀 The Opportunity
Are you a commercially minded negotiator with a passion for Procurement? Do you thrive under pressure, working to tight deadlines and making an impact on the bottom line? If so, Asahi UK has the perfect role for you. As a Procurement Local Category Specialist within our Marketing category team you’ll lead strategic and tactical sourcing projects. This is a high-visibility role where you will work closely with stakeholders across the UK business, using your analytical, negotiation, and supplier management skills to drive results.
🔑 What You’ll Be Doing
- ✔ Own & run sourcing projects— Working closely with the marketing team you’ll manage a host of end to end sourcing projects alongside managing some of our most important supplier relationships.
- ✔ Deliver to our Procurement strategy— Quickly assess business needs, research suppliers, and develop smart sourcing strategies.
- ✔ Support Local and Regional Category Managers— Work on large tenders, data analysis & market research, gaining exposure to strategic Procurement.
- ✔ Drive commercial value— Negotiate pricing & terms, ensuring Asahi gets the best deals while maintaining strong supplier relationships.
- ✔ Follow Procurement governance with agility— Understand why our policies matter and apply them with a speed-to-contract mindset.
- ✔ Master Stakeholder Management – Working closely with a diverse range of marketing stakeholders, managing varied priorities and expectations, expertly positioning Procurement's added value.
âś… Premium Beer. Premium Procurement.
Asahi UK isn’t the biggest, but we lead in the Super Premium beer category—managing exciting partnerships in Formula 1, British Summer Time, Ascot & Premier League Rugby.
✅ Fast-paced & high-impact—You’ll work across multiple spend categories, learning how to manage supplier negotiations, stakeholder expectations, and contract execution.
✅ A career launchpad—This role gives you exposure to different categories, with clear paths to Category Manager roles in the UK, across Europe, or even in Singapore (our Procurement HQ).
✅ Support for career pivots—Want to move into Sales, Marketing, or Operations? We support internal mobility for those looking to apply Procurement expertise in new ways.
✅ Culture of inclusion & support—At Asahi, we don’t just hire talent—we develop it. We’re committed to DE&I, and our team feels like a family—open, transparent, and collaborative.
🔹 Qualifications
- 🔹 3 years + of Procurement experience—You know the Procurement process and have demonstrable sourcing expertise within the marketing category, ideally within an FCMG sector company.
- 🔹 A natural negotiator—You get a thrill from improving commercial terms under tight timelines.
- 🔹 A problem solver—You can quickly assess a sourcing need and figure out the best approach.
- 🔹 Detail-oriented but agile—You respect governance but work at speed to get things done.
- 🔹 Confident in Contract Negotiation - You understand the importance of our contractual positions and the practical risks of their amendment.
🔥 Ready to take the next step? Apply now and join Asahi UK’s Procurement team—where commercial thinking meets premium beer. We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion or beliefs. We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.
LOCAL CATEGORY SPECIALIST in Woking employer: Asahibeer
Contact Detail:
Asahibeer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land LOCAL CATEGORY SPECIALIST in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Asahi UK on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Asahi UK loves a collaborative environment, so be ready to share examples of how you've thrived in team settings.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your negotiation skills during the interview! Bring real-life examples of how you've successfully navigated tough negotiations. This will demonstrate your fit for the Local Category Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Asahi family.
We think you need these skills to ace LOCAL CATEGORY SPECIALIST in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Local Category Specialist. Highlight your Procurement experience and any relevant projects you've managed. 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 passion for Procurement and how you can drive commercial value at Asahi UK. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since negotiation is key in this role, share specific examples of successful negotiations you've led. We love seeing how you've made an impact on the bottom line in previous positions!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Asahibeer
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially within the marketing category. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully negotiated terms or managed supplier relationships.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your negotiation prowess. Think of situations where you’ve improved commercial terms under pressure. This is a key part of the role, so demonstrating your ability to drive value through negotiation will impress the interviewers.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Since you'll be working closely with various stakeholders, come prepared with examples of how you've effectively managed differing priorities in the past. Discuss how you’ve positioned procurement’s value to stakeholders and how you’ve navigated complex relationships.
✨Be Agile and Detail-Oriented
The role requires a balance of speed and attention to detail. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully followed governance while also being agile in your approach. Share instances where you’ve had to quickly assess needs and implement solutions without compromising on quality.