Global Category Manager - Indirects

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract to provide maternity cover, expected to start in May 2026. Reporting to the Global Head of Indirect Procurement, the Global Category Manager – Technology & Indirect is a commercial procurement professional responsible for the stewardship of global spend. Hands-on, this role offers the opportunity to further develop how Technology and wider Indirect spend are managed across the organisation.

Operating as a key commercial interface between Procurement and the business, you will deliver procurement business partnering and commercial leadership across the Technology function and broader indirect categories, ensuring continuity of sourcing activity, contract renewals, supplier governance and value delivery during the maternity cover period. The position leads end-to-end procurement activity, supports the annual budgeting and planning cycle, and maintains strong stakeholder engagement across multiple functions.

Working in close partnership with the CDIO, Technology Leadership Team and other senior stakeholders, you will ensure third-party spend is proactively planned, commercially optimised and aligned to business objectives. A key focus of the role is the forward planning and execution of contract renewals, particularly across Q3 and Q4, ensuring early engagement, cost control and continuity of service.

With global scope across multiple regions and business units, you will drive a consistent and standardised approach to Technology procurement, maximising leverage and delivering value through fact-based decision making, robust negotiation and effective supplier relationship management. In addition to Technology, the role provides procurement business partnering and sourcing support across a wider indirect spend portfolio, such as Finance, Marketing and Professional Services.

The role also plays a key part in embedding Procurement policy and governance, managing supplier due diligence and onboarding, maintaining contract compliance, delivering accurate savings and performance reporting in line with Finance requirements, and providing day-to-day leadership and direction to the Indirect Category Buyer.

• Partner with Technology functions to shape and deliver procurement activity in line with project demand, renewals and investment plans, providing a consistent commercial approach across a complex global spend landscape.
• Act as the Procurement Business Partner to the Technology function, working closely with the CDIO, Technology Leadership Team and, where required, other senior and board-level stakeholders.
• Lead the forward planning and execution of contract renewals, particularly across Q3 and Q4, ensuring early engagement, continuity of service and optimal commercial outcomes.
• Support the annual budgeting and forecasting cycle by providing commercial insight and cost modelling for Technology spend.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing activity, including RFx development, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation and contract award.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships, driving performance, value delivery and effective contract management.
• Execute value-for-money decision making through spend leverage, benchmarking and the negotiation of favourable commercial and contractual terms, including payment terms and commercial models.
• Analyse global spend, supplier markets and stakeholder requirements to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, demand management and value creation.
• Ensure compliance for new and existing suppliers, including due diligence, financial and risk assessments, robust onboarding processes and contract governance.
• Embed Procurement policy, processes and best practice across the organisation in partnership with the Procurement Centre of Excellence.
• Deliver accurate savings and cost avoidance reporting, alongside pipeline, performance and category updates for senior stakeholders.
• Confidently lead meetings and present commercial recommendations and outcomes to the CDIO, senior leadership and, where required, board-level stakeholders to support informed decision making, while providing day-to-day leadership and development for the Indirect Category Buyer and flexible procurement support across additional indirect categories as required.

• Procurement experience within a global category role.
• Relevant category experience.
• Experience working within a complex private-sector multi-national business.
• Result oriented with the ability to present results in a structured and professional manner.
• Commercial acumen and ability to influence business colleagues and leaders.
• Strong analytical skills and evidence use of data to drive informed decision-making.
• Cost reduction experience and evidence.
• Team player with customer service focus.
• Specialist Sourcing Qualification (CIPS).
• Degree educated or equivalent (proven track record).
• Prior experience in manufacturing (desirable).

• Discretionary Annual Bonus (pro-rata)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Up to 5% matched pension contribution
• 4x annual salary life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Extra paid day off for your birthday
• Paid day off for volunteering
• Employee discounts through MyDiscounts
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

This is a hybrid role, with 2-3 days per week based in either our Kidlington or Jarrow office.