Category Manager NEW Posted today Hemel Hempstead

The UK’s leading provider of adult short break experiences, Warner Hotels is a collection of unique properties in great locations across the UK. All short breaks at a Warner Hotel include breakfast, dinner and specified entertainment and activities, ensuring guests make the most of their time away. Situated in stunning locations nationwide including Heythrop Park in the Cotswolds, Studley Castle in Warwickshire, Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire and The Runnymede on Thames, each hotel offers its own personal character that makes every Warner Hotels stay unique.

We are looking to recruit a Category Manager who will provide procurement oversight across the business and through their team in all spend areas (Food and Beverage). This role will be responsible for overseeing the sourcing, negotiation, and buying processes within a tiered procurement framework, ensuring quality and value for money, through the management of supplier relationships and supplier performance. Carry out continual reviews of procurement processes to ensure they meet the needs of the brand. Working closely with the relevant leaders in hotels and the hub, support service delivery, operational efficiency, and value from spend, through contract management and contract compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier and Contract Management of Tier 1 Spend
• Developing sourcing and category processes to deliver against brand needs in optimising cost, quality and supply.
• Oversee tendering, contract negotiation, selection and ongoing supplier management.
• Support and facilitate the liaison between budget holders, brand teams and suppliers, to bring innovation, quality and service best practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors.
• Act as the primary route for escalation of issues.

Sourcing and Go-To-Market support of Tier 2 spend

• Collaborate with budget holders to determine needs and specifications.
• Source using approved methods and techniques (tenders, RFPs, etc).
• Carry out appropriate negotiations, ensuring cost savings are identified where possible, and arrange contracts.
• Ensure suitable hand backs are in so that day-to-day management can be achieved by the budget holder.

Risk Mitigation

• Oversee supplier compliance and performance, through appropriate action and improvement plans.
• Support category manager(s), in conjunction with the Junior Legal Counsel, with contract breaches.
• Ensuring the security and sustainability of the supply chain by managing risks related to suppliers and addressing ethical and compliance issues.
• Staying informed about market trends, innovations, regulations, and new technologies that could impact procurement.

Data and Reporting

• Advise and support on the introduction of supplier KPIs and SLAs.
• Prepare reports and presentations as required.
• Provide support and input into supply chain audits.

Guidance, Advice and Support

• Take the lead on procurement activities as the nominated SME.
• Develop, implement and continually review and improve the Procurement policies and processes.
• Develop self-help materials to support all teams in procurement and purchasing within a tiered framework.
• Contribute to financial controls as appropriate.
• Support on ad hoc projects as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Broad knowledge of procurement and supply chain management within the hospitality and leisure industry.
• At least 5 years’ experience in procurement management.
• Experience of working in hospitality and leisure sector, or similar hotel operations.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Stakeholder management.
• Able to work in an agile and fast changing environment.
• Good financial acumen.
• Proficiency in MS Office programmes (word, excel, ppt, teams, etc).

Inclusion Statement

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and we are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments or flexibility that you may require, including whether a role can be part-time or a job-share. We genuinely care about every candidate's experience during the recruitment process and are here to provide support where we can. If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments while applying, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Warner.recruitment@warnerhotels.co.uk