Category Manager - Indirects in London

Equans is looking for a Category Manager-Indirects to join the team in London on a permanent basis. This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

Our Category Managers play a pivotal role in maximising the value of Procurement at Equans UK&I by executing a structured, collaborative approach to category projects that optimises the procurement of similar products and services. This specific role within the UK BU Central Procurement Team will focus on the InDirect HUB, encompassing a wide range of categories including:

• IT Services: Software, Hardware and Goods, Telecoms networks, line rental
• Fleet: Vehicles, Fuel Cards, Telematics
• Print: Multi-functional devices, Print, Post and Distribution
• Office Services & Supplies
• PPE/Workwear

By strategically managing these sub-categories, Category Managers drive efficiencies, enhance collaboration, and secure value-driven outcomes for the business.

This Category Manager role within the Central Procurement team is responsible for managing key procurement service categories across our business. The role involves creating and implementing a long-term sourcing plan for the development of the categories to achieve the best value for Equans. The role also involves identifying opportunities and leveraging the combined category spend in negotiating strategic frameworks with key suppliers in ensuring Equans achieves the best outcome for its spend.

The Category Manager will own the category structure that allows the company to segment its supplier base. Using the segmentation, the Category Manager will create a category strategy in coordination with a network of internal stakeholders belonging to IT, Fleet, and operations, identifying key focus areas for the year by leveraging company-wide spend.

The role requires building and driving relationships with key suppliers to improve quality of service and generate savings for the company by collaborating with operational stakeholders including operational/Divisional procurement teams in implementing the overall category plan and realising saving targets. The role acts as the interface between the supplier market and EQUANS in providing access to market intelligence to support our supply chain planning and improve our service proposition. The role also requires delivery of category expertise across all service lines driving a tangible link to profit improvement with a strong focus on optimising best business practice, fiscal performance, risk management and compliance.

What will you deliver?

• Strategic management of the categories allocated: analysis of spend & business needs, anticipation of future needs, supplier market analysis and market dynamics
• Management of the related supply chain, contract extension/renewal, launch and drive end to end RFP/RFQ processes, etc.
• Leading the development of procurement strategies in close cooperation with business operations and procurement stakeholders activating all spend reduction levers
• Defining and implementing an action plan to deploy strategies for BUs/entities to effectively reduce spend on the category and/or mitigate market increases
• Steering economic performance (external spend reduction), supplier performance on category
• Adapting strategy in response to changes (market, internal budgets, technologies)
• Supporting operational entities in the implementation and monitoring of supplier policy defined for the category
• Work to and support supply chain deals, working with the divisional procurement teams to ensure the BU achieves the best potential in terms of supplier arrangements
• Understand and protect the companies commercial and legal position in relation to its contractual engagement with supply chain arrangements clearly setting out the terms and proposals
• Oversee and manage the recovery of retrospective rebates
• Setting annual rebate collection targets
• Promoting rebate arrangements across group to maximise utilisation
• Provide pre-tender specialist commercial input as required to ensure accurate net cost pricing
• Support subcontractor procurement by benchmarking and interrogating costs to ensure additional contribution opportunities are realised (re-invigoration of cost benchmarking database and e-procurement)
• Maintain and publish regular and accurate reports demonstrating the effectiveness of strategic sourcing arrangements and contribution to the group profit improvement / efficiency plan
• Monitor supplier / category expenditures and trends
• Build and maintain excellent supplier relations
• Creating an internal stakeholder network around key categories with representation from all business lines

What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary, car or car allowance, bonus and benefits package, which includes:

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are we looking for?

• Previous experience in a senior procurement and/or similar role
• Experience in procurement with a proven track record of delivery of savings
• Experience in change management and implementation
• Experience in developing work winning solutions with operational and business development stakeholders to drive better technical solutions and outcomes
• Understanding and practical application of base UK law applicable to Commercial contracts
• Proven commercial acumen, with an eye for detail and accuracy
• Proven track record in successful negotiations, balancing cost restraints, customer and practical requirements
• Strong analytical abilities, and the ability to analyse complex category data to drive supply chain selectivity and risk mitigation
• Developing and delivering presentations
• Excellent financial acumen with an ability to analyse complex data and documentation with accuracy

Who are we?

Equans is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros. In the UK & Ireland, Equans is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables. Equans’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live. Equans is a Bouygues group company.

What's next?

If this role is of interest to you, please click below to register, apply, and track your progress! A member of our Resourcing Team will review your application and be in touch.

As part our commitment to better reflect the markets within which we operate, we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010. At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do, should you join Equans you'll find a welcoming and open workplace where you're supported and encouraged to be your true self at work.

You'll also have access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.

The Equans Resourcing Team supports this job advert. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries must come to the resourcing team not direct to Equans Managers.