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- Tasks: Lead global procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships for impactful results.
- Company: Join Global University Systems, a leader in international education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid working, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a difference in education while developing your career in procurement.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement with strong negotiation and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Global University Systems (GUS) is an international education group that empowers students to transform their lives through education. We believe education drives careers, lives, and society forward, enabling a brighter and more sustainable future for all. Our institutions offer the broadest range of industry-relevant skills through inclusive, accessible and digital-first learning. We offer a choice of career-enhancing certificates, degrees and post-graduate level qualifications, equipping our thriving multi-national community of students for lifelong success. Our world-leading network and state-of-the-art institutions power the upskilling of our students worldwide.
Reporting to the Head of Global Procurement, the Senior Category Manager role is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies for specific categories on a global and UK local scale. This role involves managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring cost-effective procurement of goods and services while maintaining quality and compliance standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, excellent negotiation skills, and the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
Summary of role:- Category Strategy Development
- Working with in-country procurement teams, the Head of Global Procurement and key business stakeholders, develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives, cost savings and delivers a step change in speed to value for the business.
- Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
- Ability to understand and adapt to nuances at both the global and localised level to ensure successful delivery.
- Supplier Management
- Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers based on quality, cost, and delivery performance.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure reliable supply chains.
- Manage supplier performance through regular reviews and audits.
- Contract Negotiation
- Lead contract negotiations with suppliers to achieve the best possible terms and conditions.
- Ensure all contracts comply with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and manage contract renewals and amendments.
- Cost Management
- Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or service levels.
- Monitor market trends to anticipate price changes and adjust procurement strategies accordingly.
- Develop and manage the category project cost savings pipeline.
- Support, advise and work closely with the Centre of Excellence team to ensure category activity is being utilised effectively for tactical purchases.
- Risk Management
- Identify potential supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Ensure compliance with ethical sourcing and sustainability standards.
- Monitor and manage supplier compliance with company policies and regulations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with internal stakeholders, such as IT, HR, Sales and Marketing, to understand business needs and align procurement strategies.
- Collaborate with in country procurement teams to ensure consistency and alignment of group procurement category strategies.
- Provide guidance and support to localised procurement teams as needed.
- Work with Centre of Excellence to ensure executed tasks are completed as required.
- Qualifications/Education
- Essential: A degree or similar-level qualification in a relevant subject area.
- Desirable: Working towards/obtained Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply MCIPS qualification.
- Experience
- Essential: 5+ years of relevant experience of working in procurement.
- Desirable: Experience of working in a large international group, Global category experience.
- Knowledge & Skills
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- A track record of effective stakeholder management.
- A strong entrepreneurial mindset and a resilient, can-do attitude.
- Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to work in fast paced environment, successfully managing multiple scenarios concurrently.
- Commercial and financial acumen with deep understanding of financial and business priorities.
- Supplier relationship management, including negotiation, contract management and networking skills.
- Highly organised with proficient project management skills.
- The ability to take the initiative, prioritise and manage multiple concurrent workstreams.
- Has personal and professional integrity.
- Working effectively in a cross-functional environment.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays - time to rest, recharge, and balance life beyond work.
- Hybrid working - most roles offer hybrid or flexible arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Contributory Pension Scheme - 5% personal contribution & 3% Company contribution, so you can build long-term financial security with added benefits of the company contributions.
- Private Medical Insurance (T&C's apply) - prioritising your wellbeing with speedy access to healthcare whenever you need support.
- Season Ticket Loan (T&C's apply) - spread the cost of your commute with an interest-free travel loan.
- Eye Care Vouchers - support for regular eye tests and essential eyewear.
- Training & Development opportunities (T&C's apply) - access to short courses via FutureLearn and Group-wide professional development programmes.
- Staff Discount Scheme - via My Rewards Hub, from various retailers – Fashion, Grocery, Health & Beauty, Travel, Automotive, Furniture, Dining, Sports and Leisure, Electronics, etc.
- Employee Assistance Programme - confidential support for your wellbeing, whenever you need it.
- Refer a Friend Scheme for staff members (T&C's apply) - earn rewards for helping us bring great talent into the team.
If you feel this is the role you are looking for, please click below to apply for the role! We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue for the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success in your job search.
GUS is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.
Senior Category Manager in London employer: GUS
Contact Detail:
GUS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around cost management and supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills during interviews. Bring examples of past successes where you’ve saved costs or improved supplier performance. This will demonstrate your value as a Senior Category Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at GUS.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your procurement experience and how it aligns with our mission at GUS. We want to see how you can contribute to our goals!
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your negotiation and supplier management skills. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive cost savings and manage relationships effectively. We love a good success story!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at GUS
✨Know Your Procurement Strategies
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and implement category strategies that align with business objectives. Think about specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully executed similar strategies.
✨Supplier Relationship Management
Prepare to talk about your experience in managing supplier relationships. Highlight instances where you've identified, evaluated, and selected suppliers based on quality and cost. Show how you’ve maintained strong relationships and managed supplier performance through regular reviews.
✨Master Contract Negotiation
Since contract negotiation is a key part of this role, come equipped with examples of successful negotiations you've led. Discuss the terms you focused on and how you ensured compliance with company policies. This will demonstrate your ability to secure the best possible terms for the organisation.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think about how you've worked with different teams in the past. Be prepared to share examples of how you collaborated with stakeholders like IT, HR, or Sales to align procurement strategies with business needs. This shows your ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment, which is crucial for this role.