At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategy and procurement activities across Europe, driving commercial value and service benefits.
- Company: Join Greystar, a global leader in real estate with a commitment to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pension, healthcare, holiday allowance, and more.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly expanding company.
- Why this job: Shape the future of procurement while making a meaningful impact on ESG initiatives.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in procurement leadership, with strong category expertise and MCIPS qualification.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
The European Category Director will create the strategy for each category assigned to them. They will lead on benefits identification – utilizing business and market knowledge to build a pipeline of procurement activity that will deliver commercial value and service benefits across Europe. The European Category Director will determine a set of sourcing priorities each year – personally executing EU-wide / strategic tenders and directing the Procurement Managers in the delivery of market-specific procurement activity. The European Category Director will be responsible for the management and performance of up to 3 direct reports located in the UK. The Category Director must also ensure the effective co-ordination of EU-wide sourcing initiatives by working closely with the procurement managers located outside of the UK. The European Category Manager will act as a business partner to senior stakeholders. The role will work closely alongside the Senior Director of European Procurement – helping to shape the future of procurement, demonstrating the value of best-in-class procurement, driving supply chain ESG initiatives and ensuring organization-wide compliance with the procurement policy.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the category strategy and sourcing activity for major spend categories
- Negotiate group-wide / strategic supplier deals and frameworks
- Manage and develop the Procurement Managers embedded in each market
- Oversee and approve the procurement activity executed by the Procurement Managers
- Track and report benefits delivery and project status (personal and team activity)
- Drive adoption of procurement best practice across markets
- Identify and drive ESG initiatives
- Support the implementation of procurement policies, processes, systems and tools across all markets
- Proactive engagement of senior stakeholders – demonstrate the value of procurement, build confidence and trust
- Shape an SRM program and manage the performance of strategic and preferred suppliers
- Support the onboarding of new assets and third party business
- Assist with the development of the procurement value proposition
About You
You’re a senior procurement leader with 10+ years’ experience, including at Director level across European or global markets. With strong category expertise across areas such as IT, FM, indirects or capital projects, you bring a proven track record of delivering significant commercial savings across real estate, facilities, hospitality or similar sectors. Commercially sharp and operationally minded, you know how to balance cost, quality and service, while building procurement capability in complex, multi-market environments. MCIPS qualified and highly confident with data and technology, you’re an influential leader who can navigate changing priorities, build strong stakeholder relationships, and drive meaningful ESG and responsible procurement initiatives.
What We Offer
We include a range of benefits for our corporate team members, including competitive pension, healthcare, and holiday allowance, amongst others as standard. Please reach out if you are keen to know more.
About Greystar
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated real estate company offering expertise in investment management, development, and management of rental housing properties globally. The company's business model is unique in its ability to own, operate, and develop multifamily, student, and senior housing across the globe. Building a global platform with a local presence, Greystar continues to expand its geographic reach around the world, bringing a globally interconnected professional rental housing platform and industry funded with institutional capital to countries where the sector does not yet exist. Greystar’s pan-European platform was established in 2013 and has scaled rapidly, now with investment, operational and development presence in the UK, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Spain. One of Greystar’s core values is Equality, and as such, we continue to pride ourselves on being an equal opportunities employer, accounting for all protected and identifiable characteristics. We truly value diversity of thought, background and of experience. Please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team to explore opportunities at Greystar in more detail or visit our careers site at https://jobs.greystar.com/.
Category Director, Europe employer: Greystar (International)
Greystar Europe is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where legal professionals can thrive in the real estate sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, competitive benefits including healthcare and pension plans, and a culture that values diversity and equality, Greystar fosters meaningful relationships and supports its team members in achieving their career objectives. Located in a rapidly expanding European market, this role provides unique opportunities to engage with a variety of legal challenges while contributing to innovative housing solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Director, Europe
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Greystar (International).
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Director, Europe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Greystar (International):Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Greystar (International). Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Greystar (International).
How to prepare for a job interview at Greystar (International)
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Greystar (International)!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Greystar (International). Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Greystar (International)'s culture.
