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- Tasks: Lead global strategy for real estate and facilities services, managing contracts and vendor relationships.
- Company: Dechra, a growing global company focused on animal health and welfare.
- Benefits: 33 days annual holiday, competitive salary, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture that invests in your professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with opportunities for growth and travel.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Dechra is a growing global company dedicated to improving animal health and welfare worldwide. We invest in our people, support their growth, and encourage a thriving workplace culture.
The Real Estate & Facilities Services Category Manager will lead Dechra’s global strategy for corporate and non-manufacturing facilities within the Indirect Procurement function. The role manages real estate activities—including acquisitions, divestments, and site transitions—and oversees global procurement of facility services and vendor contracts.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ensuring non-manufacturing sites run efficiently, cost-effectively, and aligned with global strategy.
- Providing advisory support on global service contracts for manufacturing facilities.
- Collaborating with senior leadership to drive cost savings, improve supplier performance, and support organisational transformation.
Real Estate Management:
- Portfolio oversight: Maintain visibility of all corporate and R&D leases, renewals, expirations, and obligations.
- Lease negotiation: Lead negotiations for new leases, renewals, amendments, and terminations with Legal and Finance.
- Landlord coordination: Serve as the primary point of contact for landlords for all non-manufacturing sites.
- Site transition management: Coordinate activities for site openings, relocations, and closures, including document destruction, facility clean-up, and vendor off-boarding.
Facilities & Site Services:
- Service contract management: Oversee contracts for cleaning, waste disposal, security, utilities, and other site services.
- Vendor performance: Manage vendor relationships, SLAs, and performance metrics.
- Global standards: Develop and implement global guidance for facility services across non-manufacturing sites and support manufacturing sites when required.
- Issue escalation: Support site leaders in resolving facility-related issues promptly and effectively.
Procurement Integration:
- Strategic sourcing: Source facility-related services and negotiate favourable terms.
- Cost optimisation: Identify opportunities for consolidation, standardisation, and cost savings across the portfolio.
- Contract governance: Ensure all facility-related contracts comply with procurement and legal requirements.
The Candidate:
- Procurement professional with several years of experience in a global/international manufacturing organisation of medium to high complexity.
- Significant experience in strategic sourcing of real estate and facilities management.
- Strong negotiation experience with leases, service contracts, and vendor agreements.
- In-depth knowledge of procurement systems and best practice, including working knowledge of multi-site ERP systems.
- Experience leading international procurement projects and building category strategies from the ground up.
- Legal & contractual understanding.
- Ability to review and negotiate terms and conditions to mitigate legal and commercial risk.
- Strong project management capabilities with the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to build relationships and influence internal stakeholders at all levels, including the C-suite, and external suppliers.
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and End-to-End (E2E) mindset and thinking.
- Degree in Business or Supply Chain Management / Procurement or equivalent work experience.
Additional Information:
- Frequent global travel may be required.
- This role is based in the NW of England / hybrid.
What we can offer you:
- 33 days annual holiday (inclusive of public holidays).
Category Manager - Real Estate and Facilities Services in London employer: Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc
Contact Detail:
Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Real Estate and Facilities Services in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Real Estate and Facilities Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in real estate and facilities management, and don’t forget to showcase your negotiation skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about improving animal health and how your background aligns with our goals. Keep it engaging and relevant to the role.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your strategic sourcing and project management skills. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve saved costs or improved processes, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Dechra's mission and values. Understand their approach to animal health and welfare, and be ready to discuss how your experience in real estate and facilities management aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of past negotiations you've led, especially around leases and service contracts. Highlight your strategies for achieving cost savings and improving vendor performance, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Prowess
Be ready to talk about your project management experience, particularly in coordinating multiple stakeholders. Use examples that showcase your ability to manage site transitions or oversee complex procurement projects.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully built relationships with landlords, vendors, and internal teams to drive results in previous roles.