At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management to maximise value in outsourcing.
- Company: Join Aviva, a leader in financial services with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving performance and delivering commercial benefits.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in procurement and supplier relationship management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Norwich / London / Remote (flexible hybrid working, 50% onsite)
Inside IR35
Duration: 9 Month Contract
This is a great job for someone who is an experienced Senior Category Manager with a strong background in Outsourcing, Procurement, Supplier Relationship Management, and Commercial Delivery within regulated Financial Services or Insurance environments. It will suit someone confident operating across senior stakeholder groups, leading complex sourcing activity, and driving value through strategic supplier and category management.
A bit about the job:
This role sits within Procurement and plays a key role in maximising value across Aviva’s third‑party supplier landscape, with a particular focus on Outsourcing. You will lead end‑to‑end commercial management across key suppliers and associated spend categories, driving performance, delivering commercial benefit, and supporting strategic sourcing and outsourcing initiatives. Working closely with senior stakeholders across business units, operations, and external suppliers, you will shape sourcing strategies, optimise supply chain performance, negotiate commercial agreements, and ensure supplier arrangements align to business priorities. The role also plays a key part in managing operational risk, delivering sustainable savings, and supporting governance across supplier relationships. Specialising in Outsourcing, you will apply category management, supplier relationship management, governance, and commercial expertise to drive value for money, improve supplier performance, manage risk, and support the delivery of business strategy.
Skills and experience we’re looking for:
- Extensive experience delivering Commercial, Procurement, Category Management, or Supplier Relationship Management activities within Financial Services, Insurance, or similarly regulated environments
- Proven track record managing outsourcing categories and supplier relationships, including BPO / outsourcing environments
- Strong commercial management, governance, contract negotiation, and supplier performance experience
- Experience leading sourcing processes and delivering commercial outcomes across complex stakeholder environments
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior business leaders and challenge constructively
- Commercial awareness including exposure to supplier management, sourcing strategy, contract development, and third-party risk
- Experience managing complex commercial negotiations, supplier disputes, contract governance, and exit management
- Degree educated or equivalent experience preferred
- CIPS qualification desirable
We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares. We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.
Senior Category Manager - Outsourcing in Norwich employer: Aviva plc
Aviva is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a flexible hybrid working model that allows for a balanced work-life dynamic. With a strong focus on inclusivity and diverse backgrounds, Aviva fosters a collaborative culture where employees can thrive while driving strategic initiatives in the financial services sector. The opportunity to engage with senior stakeholders and lead complex sourcing activities ensures that you will be at the forefront of impactful decision-making, making this role both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager - Outsourcing in Norwich
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager - Outsourcing in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Aviva plc that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Aviva plc can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Aviva plc that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Aviva plc know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aviva plc
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
