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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement for HR services and manage supplier relationships to drive efficiency.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within a leading UK&I company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising procurement strategies and driving value across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or category management with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on sustainability and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Business Area: Central Function - Central Procurement Team
Reports To: Category HUB Leader - Indirects & Professional Services
Location: Hybrid - London (national travel required)
Role Purpose
Category Managers play a critical role in maximising procurement value across Company UK&I through a structured, collaborative, and category-led approach. This position sits within the UK BU Central Procurement Team and focuses on the Indirects & Professional Services HUB, with primary accountability for HR Services and oversight across a broad indirect spend portfolio. The role delivers a unified, centralised procurement service across a diverse and nationally dispersed organisation, driving efficiency, compliance, innovation, and measurable value for the business.
Category Scope
- HR Services: Recruitment, training, travel, meetings & events, employee rewards and benefits
- Fleet Management: Leasing, rental, fuel, telematics, vehicle services
- General Goods & Services: Office supplies, postal and distribution services, support functions
- IT & Telecoms: Technology solutions and telecommunications
- Professional & Financial Services: Consultancy, insurance, banking and related services
Key Accountabilities
Category & Strategic Management- Lead strategic management of the HR Services category through spend analysis, demand forecasting, supplier market analysis and category strategy development
- Develop and deploy procurement strategies in collaboration with business operations and procurement stakeholders, activating all cost reduction and value levers
- Define and implement action plans to reduce external spend and mitigate market cost pressures across BUs
- Adapt category strategies in response to market trends, budget changes, and technological developments
- Deliver large-scale procurement programmes (e.g. P2P system renewal, telecoms renegotiation, LMS appointment, printer transformation)
- Manage supplier relationships to ensure alignment with quality, functionality, cost and performance standards
- Lead end-to-end RFP/RFQ processes, contract renewals and extensions
- Steer supplier performance, manage rebates (including retrospective recovery), set annual rebate targets and promote utilisation across the group
- Protect the company's commercial and legal interests within contractual engagements
- Provide pre-tender commercial input and cost benchmarking to support accurate net cost pricing and margin improvement
- Drive value chain optimisation and transparent, measurable cost savings
- Monitor category spend, trends, risks and supplier performance
- Maintain and publish accurate reporting demonstrating contribution to efficiency plans and profit improvement
- Partner closely with HR leadership, operational teams, divisional stakeholders and the wider procurement function
- Engage with Group, affiliate and sister-company stakeholders domestically and internationally
- Support bid activity, mobilisation and demobilisation requirements
- Promote category-led framework agreements and procurement compliance across the business
- Support regular risk reviews, identifying and managing procurement-related opportunities and threats
- Ensure compliance with UK&I procurement strategy, policies and processes
- Champion sustainability, CSR, DE&I and IT commitments within category strategies
- Support team development through collaboration, coaching and leading by example
- Ensure procurement processes are embedded and aligned with Group standards
Role Dimensions
- Direct Reports: None
- Procurement Portfolio: c. £110m+ indirect spend
- Scope: Multi-BU projects (lead and support roles)
Category Manager HR Services & Others - in London employer: Guidant Global
Contact Detail:
Guidant Global Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager HR Services & Others - in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those in HR services and procurement. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Understand their approach to HR services and be ready to discuss how you can add value. Tailor your answers to show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. Use this opportunity to reiterate your interest in the role and mention something specific from the interview that excites you about the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager HR Services & Others - in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in HR services and procurement strategies, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've driven value and efficiency in previous roles. We love seeing measurable results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures it gets to the right people quickly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Guidant Global
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the HR Services and Indirects categories. Understand the key trends, challenges, and opportunities in procurement for these areas. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve real-world procurement challenges. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed supplier relationships or implemented cost-saving strategies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
This role requires collaboration with various teams, so be ready to discuss how you've effectively partnered with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your communication and negotiation skills led to successful outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Sustainability
With a focus on CSR and sustainability, be prepared to discuss how you've integrated these principles into your procurement strategies. Share any relevant initiatives you've been part of and how they contributed to value creation and compliance.
