At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies and manage supplier relationships to drive value and efficiency.
- Company: Join Ayvens, a leader in sustainable mobility with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, generous leave, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of procurement while making a real impact in sustainable mobility.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Ayvens, progress starts with you. Our ambitions to shape the future of sustainable mobility are powered by our talent. Join us, and get better with every move.
Due to the continued growth of our Procurement function, we are looking for an experienced Procurement Category Lead to join the Ayvens team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in delivering our UK procurement strategy, leading sourcing activity across key spend categories and helping to shape the future of procurement within Ayvens.
Working closely with business stakeholders, suppliers and Group Procurement colleagues, you'll drive commercial value, support operational excellence and ensure best practice is embedded across the organisation. As a trusted procurement partner, you'll take ownership of category strategies from initial sourcing through to contract management and supplier performance, ensuring the business achieves the right balance of cost, quality, service and risk management.
Procurement Category Lead responsibilities:
- Developing and delivering sourcing strategies across assigned procurement categories
- Managing category pipelines, contract renewals and supplier consolidation activities to maximise value and efficiency
- Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and provide strategic procurement support
- Leading sourcing and contract negotiations to achieve commercial and operational benefits
- Supporting the ongoing integration and development of procurement processes, policies and governance frameworks
- Working collaboratively with Group Procurement teams to support planning, forecasting and broader business objectives
- Monitoring market trends, supplier developments and industry best practice to identify opportunities and mitigate risks
- Using spend analysis and management information to provide insight, support decision-making and strengthen procurement controls
- Driving continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing, contract management and supplier performance
- Ensuring all procurement activity is delivered in line with regulatory, governance and compliance requirements
Procurement Category Lead Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience in procurement, category management or supply chain management
- Experience managing sourcing projects, supplier relationships and commercial contracts
- Strong stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills
- Commercially minded with experience managing complex or high-value spend categories
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insight into action
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results
- A proactive, self-motivated approach with a passion for continuous improvement
- Strong communication skills and the ability to produce clear business cases, reports and proposals
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience working within a regulated environment and knowledge of the automotive, leasing or wider operational supply chain sector is highly advantageous.
What we offer:
- Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience
- Competitive pension scheme
- Annual salary review and bonus scheme
- Give As You Earn (GAYE) scheme
- Employee referral scheme (£1,000)
- Retail discounts programme
- GymFlex membership options
- Cycle to Work scheme
Health & Wellbeing:
- Life Assurance
- Health assessment options
- Travel insurance
- Dental insurance
- Critical illness cover
- Personal accident insurance
Time Off & Work-Life Balance:
- 25 days annual leave + an additional Celebration Day
- 37.5 hour week, Monday to Friday, no weekends
- Holiday buy & sell scheme
- Volunteer days
- Time allocated for personal development
- Study support (where applicable)
Workplace & On-Site Facilities:
- Free parking (limited)
- EV charging points
- Bike storage & shower facilities
- Complimentary breakfast
- Staff and social events
Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for an opportunity unless they exactly meet the criteria specified. At Ayvens, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, enjoyable and authentic workplace so if you are excited by this, or any role at Ayvens but your experience doesn't exactly align, we would encourage you to apply regardless!
Why Ayvens? With over 3.4 million vehicles managed across more than 42 countries, we provide full-service leasing, flexible subscription services, fleet management services and multi-mobility solutions to customers of all sizes, including large corporates, SMEs, professionals, and private individuals. By leveraging our unique position to lead the way to net zero and further shape the digital transformation of the industry, we are well-positioned to meet the evolving mobility needs of our clients and provide them with the solutions they need to thrive.
At Ayvens, we believe that our success is driven by our commitment to customer satisfaction. Our team is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and technology-enabled services that help our customers focus on their everyday business. We're committed to sustainable mobility and have made it a core part of our strategy. In everything we do, we're guided by the principles of authenticity, curiosity, commitment and collaboration. We aim to foster an organisation that's diverse in people and ideas, where everyone can thrive and be themselves, no matter who they are.
Join us on this exciting journey as we continue to enable the transformation towards large scale adoption of sustainable mobility and provide our customers with the solutions they need to succeed.
Procurement Category Lead in London employer: Ayvens
At Ayvens, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Procurement Category Lead, you will not only contribute to our ambitious sustainable mobility goals but also benefit from extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment in the UK. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Lead in London
✨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 Ayvens.
✨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 Procurement Category Lead in London
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 Ayvens:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Ayvens. 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 Ayvens.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ayvens
✨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 Ayvens!
✨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 Ayvens. 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 Ayvens's culture.
