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- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and develop procurement strategies for a major UK retail client.
- Company: Join a leading company in the retail sector, focused on supplier management and procurement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, 33 days holiday, private health care, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, making impactful decisions while working remotely with flexible hours.
- Qualifications: 5 years' experience in procurement or supplier management; CIPS qualification preferred.
- Other info: Regular travel to Glasgow required; collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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Job Title: Category Manager (Retail FM)
Location: Remote / Hybrid – Regular Travel to City Head Office in Glasgow
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 40 Hours Per Week
Salary: Competitive Package + Car / Car Allowance + Annual Bonus, 33 Days Holiday, Private Pension & Benefits – Including Private Health Care, Life Insurance, Employee Discounts!
An exciting opportunity has emerged for an experienced Category Manager to join our company, working with one of our major UK retail clients.
The role will see you responsible for the management of City Groups\’ (UK & Ireland) supplier relationships, this includes all PPM and reactive suppliers within a given customer contract.
The successful candidate will need to be strategically minded and will support in the development and implementation of procurement strategies ensuring cost efficiency, quality and supplier reliability. The role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and collaborating with internal stakeholders to meet City and our Client\’s objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
* Manage all supplier relationships and contract delivery for allocated suppliers
* Build strong engagement and trust with City\’s customers, responding promptly to client requests and using performance scorecards to demonstrate achievement of delivery targets and contractual compliance
* Support category strategy development.
* Create and oversee a regular supplier audit regime to assure City and its customers of suppliers\’ compliance regarding health and safety, and other key compliance aspects.
* Work will customers to set annual budgets and ensure alignment within wider procurement team to deliver schedule of services in line with budget
* Act as an escalation point for all supplier related issues
Financial Responsibility
* The Category Manager will work with the wider procurement team to ensuring contract charges are accurate and aligned to the services delivered. In addition, the Category Managers will work with finance and the wider procurement team to review and over or under spend, supporting preparation of budgets where required.
* The Category Manager will also be expected to positively impact the P&L of the company through the delivery of in contract savings.
People Responsibility
* The Category Manager will not have any direct reports but will be expected to collaborate positively with a wide group of stakeholders including the client, wider procurement team and field operations.
Qualifications / Experience:
Essential
* 5 years\’ experience of working within a procurement or supplier management environment.
* CIPS qualification or equivalent
* Knowledge of retail and hospitality or customer service industry, preferred, but not essential
Desirable but not essential:
* A working knowledge of the maintenance service within the FM industry is preferrable, with previous working knowledge of a multi-site contracted environment being desirable.
Key Skills required:
* Strong commercial and supplier management experience and capability
* Ability to collaborate with disparate teams
* Strategic and Procurement Process mindset
* Ability to build, nurture and grow relationships with suppliers and customers
* Credibility to deliver a successful SRM programme
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
* Ability to critically challenge
* Understanding of contracts and the key service deliverables within contracts
Category Manager
Supplier Manager
Procurement
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Category Manager employer: Austin Fraser
Contact Detail:
Austin Fraser Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the procurement and supplier management field. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may have insights into the role of a Category Manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and best practices in supplier relationship management. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. Highlight your negotiation skills and any cost-saving initiatives you've implemented to showcase your strategic mindset.
✨Tip Number 4
Research City Group and their major retail clients thoroughly. Understanding their business model and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can add value as a Category Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement and supplier management. Emphasise your strategic mindset and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the retail and hospitality sectors. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience in contract negotiation and stakeholder collaboration.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have a CIPS qualification or equivalent, make it prominent in your application. Also, include any other relevant certifications or training that could set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully tackled challenges in previous roles. This could include instances where you've improved supplier performance or achieved cost savings through effective procurement strategies.
How to prepare for a job interview at Austin Fraser
✨Research the Company and Role
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research the company and the specific role of Category Manager. Understand their values, recent projects, and how they operate within the retail sector. This will help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your past experiences in supplier management and procurement. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, highlighting your strategic mindset and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Category Manager, strong analytical skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've managed budgets or improved supplier performance through analysis.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Abilities
The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships with suppliers and clients. Highlight your communication skills and ability to engage effectively with different teams.
