At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead indirect spend and supplier management while creating impactful category strategies.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on strategic procurement and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4.5-day work week, employee discounts, and perks from local sports clubs.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in procurement and drive value across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in indirect category management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A strategic procurement and category management role, leading indirect spend, sourcing, supplier management, contracts, compliance and stakeholder engagement across a complex organisation.
We have a fantastic new job opportunity for an Indirect Category Lead with strong procurement, category management, sourcing, supplier management and commercial contracting experience. As an Indirect Category Lead you will lead indirect goods and services spend, creating category strategies, delivering value, reducing supply chain risk and supporting business-wide compliance. Working closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, the Indirect Category Lead will manage RFx activity, supplier performance, contract lifecycle, spend analysis and continuous improvement across key indirect categories.
DUTIES
- Category Strategy: Create, recommend and execute category strategies aligned to business needs and budget owner requirements.
- Indirect Spend Management: Manage total indirect supplier spend, identifying opportunities to deliver sustainable hard and soft benefits.
- Sourcing Activity: Create and deliver RFx activity in line with category strategies, value plans and procurement processes.
- Supplier Negotiation: Negotiate with suppliers to achieve best value, commercial outcomes, compliance and risk reduction.
- Contract Management: Create, negotiate and recommend supplier contracts, managing the contract lifecycle, deliverables and dispute resolution.
- Supplier Performance: Build strong supplier relationships, monitor service levels and support business continuity through proactive risk management.
- Planning and Budgets: Review OPEX and CAPEX demand and supply requirements with stakeholders across different planning horizons.
- Operational Escalations: Own and deliver resolution of operational performance and compliance escalations with budget owners.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work collaboratively with departments including Facilities, Legal, Finance, Engineering, Planning, Logistics and Production.
- Compliance: Ensure suppliers operate in line with organisational policies, procedures, code of conduct and performance requirements.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
- Indirect Category Management: Previous experience in indirect category management within a complex organisation.
- Procurement Knowledge: Strong understanding of procurement, commercial, sourcing, contracting and compliance processes.
- Manufacturing or Engineering Background: Experience within manufacturing, engineering services or a similar operational environment would be beneficial.
- Professional Knowledge: Business, engineering or procurement qualification, or equivalent demonstrated knowledge, with CIPS desirable.
- Project Management: Experience managing procurement projects, category plans, budgets and supplier-related initiatives.
- Analytical Skills: Performance and data driven with good analytical skills and the ability to make informed commercial decisions.
- Systems Skills: Confident using S2P systems, facilities solutions and Microsoft applications including Excel and Word.
- Continuous Improvement: Experience applying continuous improvement methodologies to improve value, performance and compliance.
- Stakeholder Management: Able to lead, collaborate and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Positive Approach: Brings a positive mindset, uses data to inform decisions and focuses on achieving measurable results.
BENEFITS
- 4.5 day working week.
- Employee discount at local businesses.
- Perks through local sports club partners.
- On-site parking.
To be considered for this job vacancy, please submit your CV to our Recruitment Team who will review your details.
Locations
Category Lead - Indirect in Devon, Exeter employer: AWD Online
Join a dynamic team in Plymouth as an Indirect Category Lead, where you will play a pivotal role in strategic procurement and category management within a supportive and collaborative work culture. Enjoy a competitive salary alongside unique benefits such as a 4.5-day working week, employee discounts at local businesses, and opportunities for professional growth in a complex organisation that values continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead - Indirect in Devon, Exeter
✨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 AWD Online.
✨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 Lead - Indirect in Devon, Exeter
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 AWD Online:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to AWD Online. 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 AWD Online.
How to prepare for a job interview at AWD Online
✨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 AWD Online!
✨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 AWD Online. 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 AWD Online's culture.
