Category Manager - Professional Services

Who are we? Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 22,000 employees spanning over 100 countries. Our people are our biggest asset and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth all come from our people-first approach.

Why work at Howden? We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we’ve focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down head-hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

What is the role? Responsible for the strategic management of the Professional Services category, with a specific focus on External workforce, Human Resources (HR), BPO and Finance services. The role will define and manage category priorities, drive value creation and ensure alignment with business.

What will you be doing?

• Defining and executing the category strategy for Consultancy, Human Resources, and Finance services in line with procurement objectives.
• Leading procurement activities across management consultancy, HR services (e.g., recruitment, training, benefits), and financial advisory services.
• Identifying opportunities to leverage group frameworks and optimise spend across the category.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders across HR, Finance, and other business functions.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the business, partnering on marketing procurement-related matters for the organisation.
• Deliver cost savings, service quality improvements, and risk mitigation through strategic supplier management.
• Providing category insights and market intelligence to support stakeholder decision-making.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and governance requirements in sourcing activities.
• Leading end-to-end sourcing activities including RFx development, supplier evaluation, and contract negotiation.
• Champion sustainability, diversity, and ethical sourcing within the Professional Services supply base.
• Providing day-to-day leadership and development for Procurement Specialists supporting the category.

What are we looking for? Skills required:

• Expertise in Professional Services procurement, particularly across Consultancy, HR, and Finance.
• Strong commercial and analytical capabilities.
• Proven negotiation and contract management experience with service providers.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience using Source to Pay and procurement analytics tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, BI).
• Extensive experience in Professional Services category management.
• Demonstrated success in delivering value and strategic initiatives in a Professional Services context.
• Strong knowledge of leading practice procurement processes and Professional Services suppliers.
• University degree in Business, HR, Finance, Procurement, or related field.
• Ability to build relationships and influence at senior levels across HR, Finance, and Procurement.
• Leadership experience and ability to manage and develop team members.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.

What do we offer in return? A career that you define. Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges. We know that separate home and work lives don’t really exist. If you’re happy and healthy at home, you’re more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work. That’s why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Howden we value diversity – there is no one Howden ‘personality type’. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share our values. Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new. We support each other, in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges. We are determined to make a positive difference, at work and beyond. We consider our people our chief competitive advantage and treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect – regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.

Our sustainability promise: We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It’s a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Other

Industries: Insurance, Insurance Agencies and Brokerages, and Financial Services