Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and drive innovation in professional services.
- Company: Join AXA, a global leader in insurance and financial services.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in market analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
About AXA
AXA is a global leader in insurance and financial services, dedicated to helping customers protect what matters most to them. As the sixth-largest insurance company in the world, we provide a wide range of services, including health, car, home, and business insurance. We support millions of customers worldwide, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence. AXA UK Support Functions look after our three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure and expertise to make sure we can be there for our customers.
Job overview
Reporting directly into the Head of Procurement for AXA UK, you'll be working proactively to define an overall professional services category strategy and supporting the team to develop associated supplier engagement plans in collaboration with supplier owners across the business. The aim is to drive innovation, resilience, and long-term value through the delivery of all procurement activities and engagements within the category and provide expert guidance to stakeholders to ensure the outcomes delivered are effective, compliant and provide value for money.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and develop the team to achieve goals while fostering trust and collaboration.
- Align team objectives with organisational strategies, managing workloads, resolving issues, and escalating as needed.
- Develop a category strategy for Professional Services, identifying sourcing opportunities to optimise value, cost, and quality.
- Build market intelligence through research channels, industry insights, and benchmarking to inform strategy.
- Lead negotiations to secure favourable terms, supporting cost savings and tracking procurement performance.
- Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, ensuring data-driven decisions and consistent engagement.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) regulations, and internal risk frameworks.
- Promote continuous improvement and proactively mitigate procurement risks across processes.
Work arrangements
At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means attending the office, visiting clients or attending industry events. We’re also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.
Your skills & experience
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong supplier and internal relationships.
- Proven expertise in conducting market analysis, evaluating trends, assessing risks, and optimising procurement strategies.
- Skilled in interpreting legal and contractual documents, ensuring compliance and mitigating risks through careful review and collaboration with legal teams.
- Strong project management experience, capable of leading procurement initiatives from start to finish within scope, budget, and timeline.
- Ability to analyse data and procurement metrics to inform decision-making and improve sourcing outcomes.
- Proficient in developing strategic, long-term partnerships with suppliers to foster collaboration and drive innovation.
- Adept at resolving conflicts, managing disputes, and communicating effectively with diverse audiences at all levels.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and negotiate favourable terms that support organisational objectives.
As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to martin.eels@axa-uk.co.uk.
Procurement Category Lead - Professional Services in Birmingham employer: AXA Group
Contact Detail:
AXA Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Lead - Professional Services in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching AXA and their procurement strategies. Show us that you understand their goals and how you can contribute to driving innovation and value in professional services.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role requires excellent negotiation abilities, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor to sharpen your approach and build confidence.
✨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 us you’re serious about joining the team at AXA.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Lead - Professional Services in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Procurement Category Lead role. Highlight your negotiation skills and experience in developing procurement strategies, as these are key to what we're looking for at AXA.
Showcase Your Experience: Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your expertise in stakeholder management and market analysis. We want to see how you've driven value and innovation in previous positions.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance of standing out to our recruitment team.
How to prepare for a job interview at AXA Group
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on procurement strategies, especially in professional services. Understand the latest trends and how they can impact AXA's goals. Being able to discuss market analysis and sourcing opportunities will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you secured favourable terms or saved costs. Be ready to discuss your approach to building strong supplier relationships and how you handle conflicts. This will demonstrate your ability to influence stakeholders effectively.
✨Understand Compliance and Risk Management
Familiarise yourself with procurement policies and regulations like FCA and PRA. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you mitigate risks. This knowledge will highlight your attention to detail and commitment to best practices.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders. Prepare to share how you've built relationships and communicated effectively with diverse audiences. Showing that you can align team objectives with organisational strategies will set you apart.