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- Tasks: Lead marketing procurement strategies and collaborate with top brands like Boots and No7.
- Company: Join Boots, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to your growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, generous discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in marketing procurement while developing your career in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategy development, negotiation, and project management is a plus.
- Other info: Opportunities for part-time roles and support during the application process.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Nottingham | Permanent | Full time
About the role
Full time Category Manager reporting into the Category Director for Marketing Procurement, based in Nottingham, taking ownership of categories across the marketing portfolio such as insights, creative, production, media, PR and marketing technology. Partnering with partners and agencies across Boots, Opticians and No7 Beauty Company to lead value, innovation and compliance.
As a Category Manager in the Marketing Procurement team, you will report into the Category Director for Marketing responsible for ~£200m spend, work in collaboration with two other Marketing Category Managers, supported by a cross‐function team of shared Procurement Associates.
Key responsibilities
- Develop and manage category strategy(ies) for an assigned portfolio
- Work with team members up to and including CxO / Executives to develop strategies, testing requirements, through external insights, spend analysis and always challenging the balance between value and service
- Promote procurement led change and sourcing activities across Boots, Opticians and No7 Beauty Company
- Project manage work‐streams/programmes in the Category Strategy to ensure timely delivery of goals within the prescribed governance
- Collaborate with several areas of the business, such as Finance Business Partners, Legal, InfoSec and Data Protection
- Provide professional procurement expertise to multiple stakeholders
- Undertake negotiations, selection and contracting to support the business and deliver objectives
- Report on savings, ROI and other procurement KPIs
- Help manage key supplier relationships
- Develop strategic relationships ensuring mutual beneficial outcomes
What you'll need to have
- Strategy Development – understands the dynamics of the Marketing categories (insights, creative, production, media, PR and marketing technology), agencies and business; can develop strategies that maximise the return for the business
- Commercial Knowledge – uses knowledge to deliver the right balance between value and service, demonstrating commercial creativity
- Negotiation – explores positions and alternatives to reach outcomes that gain acceptance of all parties and maximises return
- Contracting – uses expertise in commercial contracts to negotiate contractual terms for local and regional arrangements
- Project Management – ability to shape and lead programmes to deliver initiatives on time in full
- Stakeholder Experience – Navigates multiple areas of the business to form a reasonable strategy, plans and actions
- Communication Skills – articulates direction and plans, commercial results and issues to a broad range of team members
- Risk Management – identifies risks and mitigation plans acting always within the risk appetite of the business
- Category Management – leads the category management process through all stages of its life cycle.
Desirable experience, not essential
- Experience in arrangements for Performance Media e.g. PPC, Social and Affiliates. Performance Media technologies such as; CM/SA/DV360, Smartly, feed providers.
- Management of Media cost and quality metrics.
Our benefits
- Boots Retirement Savings Plan
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Generous employee discounts
- Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card for anyone expecting or adopting a child
- Flexible benefits scheme including option to buy additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes and much more.
- Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme.
We have a great range of benefits in addition to the above that offer flexibility to suit you - find out more at boots.jobs/rewards. Exclusions may apply, eligible roles only.
Why Boots
At Boots, we foster a working environment where consideration and inclusivity help everyone to be themselves and reach their full potential. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, passionate about embracing the diversity of our colleagues and providing a positive and inclusive working environment for all. As the heart of everything we do at Boots, with you, we change for the better.
What's next
Where a role is advertised as full‐time, we are open to discussing part‐time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.
Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case‐by‐case basis.
Category Manager – Marketing Procurement in London employer: BOOTS
Contact Detail:
BOOTS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Marketing Procurement in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Boots or in the marketing procurement field. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the latest trends in marketing procurement and be ready to discuss how you can bring value to the team. We want to see your passion and knowledge shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! Think of examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully navigated tough negotiations. We love to see candidates who can think on their feet and deliver results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Boots family.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Marketing Procurement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in marketing procurement and how it aligns with our needs at Boots. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Strategy Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to develop and manage category strategies. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex procurement processes and delivered results. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills!
Highlight Collaboration Experience: Since this role involves working with various stakeholders, make sure to mention your experience in collaborating with different teams. We want to know how you've built relationships and driven change in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at BOOTS
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
As a Category Manager, you’ll be dealing with various marketing categories like insights, creative, and media. Make sure you research these areas thoroughly before the interview. Understand current trends, challenges, and opportunities in each category to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Negotiation is key in this role, so prepare examples of past negotiations where you achieved beneficial outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to balancing value and service, and how you’ve navigated complex discussions with stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Prowess
You’ll need to manage multiple work-streams effectively. Prepare to talk about specific projects you’ve led, focusing on how you ensured timely delivery and met governance requirements. Highlight any tools or methodologies you used to keep everything on track.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires collaboration across various departments. Think of examples where you successfully navigated different stakeholder interests to develop a strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you communicate effectively with diverse teams, including CxO executives.
