Global Category Leader, Travel & Expenses in London

Global Category Leader, Travel & Expenses in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Gsk

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global sourcing for travel and expenses, driving strategies for cost, service, and sustainability.
  • Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader committed to health innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic work culture focused on collaboration and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global health while advancing your career in procurement.
  • Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience in procurement or category management.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

GSK remains committed to achieving bold commercial ambitions for the future. By 2031, we aim to deliver £40 billion in annual sales, leveraging our existing strong performance momentum to significantly increase our positive impact on the health of billions of patients globally. Our Ahead Together strategy is centred on early intervention to prevent and alter the course of disease, thereby protecting people and supporting healthcare systems. Our diverse portfolio consists of vaccines, specialty medicines, and general medicines. Through continuous innovation and a dedicated focus on scientific and technical excellence, we strive to develop and launch new, groundbreaking treatments that address critical health challenges.

Role Summary

You will lead the sourcing for travel and expenses categories at GSK. You will design and deliver strategies that balance cost, service, risk and sustainability. We value curious problem-solvers who build strong relationships, use data to drive choices, and help teams move from insight to action. This role offers growth, visible impact and the chance to support GSK’s mission of uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

  • Develop and execute a global sourcing and category strategy for travel and expenses, covering travel services, booking tools, corporate card programs and expense management.
  • Lead global supplier selection, contract negotiation and ongoing supplier governance to deliver value and service consistency.
  • Use data and analytics to identify savings, improve compliance and enhance traveller experience.
  • Lead change initiatives to implement new tools, processes or commercial models across regions.
  • Coach and influence cross-functional teams and regional procurement partners to ensure smooth delivery and adoption.

Key Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end category planning, prioritisation and benefit delivery for travel and expenses.
  • Manage supplier relationships and performance frameworks to ensure quality, innovation and resilience.
  • Create compelling business cases and present recommendations to senior stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, tax and duty of care requirements across all regions.
  • Track and report category performance, savings and non-financial benefits such as traveller wellbeing and carbon reduction.
  • Support digital transformation of travel and expense processes, including integration with finance systems and data platforms.

Basic Qualifications

  • Degree or equivalent experience in Procurement, Finance, Business, Hospitality, Travel & Meetings or related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in procurement and category management, including travel, corporate card or expense management categories.
  • Strong commercial and negotiation skills with a track record of delivering cost and service outcomes.
  • Experience managing global supplier contracts and running supplier governance.
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively across finance, HR, security, operations and business units.
  • Excellent communication skills in English and experience presenting to senior stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with travel management companies, booking tools, corporate card providers or expense platforms.
  • Experience in a global, matrixed organisation with multi-region rollout experience.
  • Practical use of data analytics tools to drive category insights and decisions.
  • Experience leading digital transformation or procurement-led change programmes.
  • Procurement professional qualification such as CIPS or equivalent experience.

Closing Date for Applications – 27th July 2026 EOD

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert. When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

Skills

  • Category Strategy
  • Contract Management
  • Contract Negotiations
  • Data Analysis
  • Digital Literacy
  • Financial Acumen
  • Procurement
  • Sourcing Management
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Supplier Management
  • Supplier Relationship Management
  • Supplier Sourcing
  • Supplier Strategy

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale. People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law. We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are. Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com where you can also request a call. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive.

Global Category Leader, Travel & Expenses in London employer: Gsk

GSK is an exceptional employer located in Greater London, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior FinOps Product Manager, you will have the opportunity to drive impactful projects while benefiting from robust employee growth opportunities and a culture that values diverse perspectives. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on agile methodologies, GSK empowers its employees to thrive in their careers while contributing to meaningful advancements in cloud financial management.

Gsk

Contact Details:

Gsk Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Category Leader, Travel & Expenses in London

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 Gsk.

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 Global Category Leader, Travel & Expenses in London

Category Strategy
Contract Management
Contract Negotiations
Data Analysis
Digital Literacy
Financial Acumen
Procurement

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 Gsk:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Gsk. 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 Gsk.

How to prepare for a job interview at Gsk

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 Gsk!

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 Gsk. 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 Gsk's culture.