At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement initiatives and optimise supplier relationships across multiple companies.
- Company: Join a dynamic multinational group focused on innovation and efficiency.
- Benefits: Enjoy health insurance, pension plans, performance bonuses, and a supportive work/life balance.
- Other info: Work in a multicultural environment with opportunities for travel and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming procurement strategies and driving value creation.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in strategic procurement with strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Category Lead to drive the fundamental transformation and optimization of external resource and service procurement across various general and indirect categories within the IAG Group. The senior role focuses on harmonizing supplier roles, standardizing rate cards, and optimizing delivery models to ensure maximum commercial efficiency, consistency, and value creation across all Operating Companies (OpCos).
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a unified category strategy across group companies, focusing on external resource and service optimization and supplier harmonization.
- Align sourcing initiatives with business objectives, procurement best practices, and transformation goals.
- Lead the consolidation of supplier frameworks, standardizing roles, rate cards, and delivery models (onshore, nearshore, offshore).
- Drive supplier benchmarking and comparative analysis across OpCos to identify inefficiencies and harmonization opportunities.
- Establish preferred supplier lists and negotiate group‑wide agreements to maximize leverage and rebates.
- Own high‑value sourcing initiatives including RFP design, supplier selection, negotiation, and contract finalization.
- Collaborate with legal and finance teams to ensure robust contractual compliance and risk mitigation.
- Champion specification simplification and standardization across business units.
- Act as a strategic partner to senior stakeholders, influencing decisions and enabling value creation through procurement.
- Maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, serving as the primary point of contact for category‑related decisions.
- Establish governance frameworks for external spend and supplier performance monitoring.
- Use spend intelligence and analytics to identify rate leakage, contractor dependency, and opportunities for role‑based optimization.
- Promote a shift from named contractor selection to skill‑based resource planning where applicable.
Qualifications
- Minimum 5–7 years in strategic category procurement or consultancy sourcing within a matrixed, multinational environment.
- Proven success in delivering savings and value through sourcing initiatives, especially in external resource and service planning.
- Strong understanding of key indirect categories (Professional Services, Consulting, HR, Marketing).
- Experience in supplier consolidation, rate card evolution, and role standardization.
- Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with procurement tools (Ariba), governance frameworks, and contract law.
- Ability to operate effectively under tight deadlines and finite resources.
- Multilingual capabilities, English and Spanish.
- Willingness to travel across OpCos as needed.
Benefits
Enjoy a challenging career in a fast‑moving environment. Work in a multicultural setting with offices in multiple locations. We support work/life balance and provide benefits such as health insurance, pension, and performance bonuses.
Equal Opportunity
We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Category Lead employer: IAG Transform Spain
As a Category Lead at IAG Group, you will thrive in a dynamic and multicultural environment that champions innovation and strategic thinking. We offer competitive benefits including health insurance, pension plans, and performance bonuses, all while promoting a healthy work/life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to influence key procurement strategies and drive meaningful change across our diverse operating companies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Category Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity 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 supplier harmonization and cost optimisation. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that resonate with your values and career aspirations. Use our website to find roles that match your skills and interests, and tailor your approach to each one.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the ideal candidate for the Category Lead position.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Lead. Highlight your experience in strategic procurement and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience with supplier harmonization and how you've driven value in previous positions.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your negotiation and stakeholder management skills. These are crucial for the Category Lead position, so provide examples of how you've successfully influenced decisions in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at IAG Transform Spain
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the key indirect categories mentioned in the job description, like Professional Services and Consulting. Brush up on recent trends and challenges in these areas so you can speak confidently about how you would approach category optimisation.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to develop and implement unified category strategies. Think about past experiences where you've successfully aligned sourcing initiatives with business objectives and how you can bring that expertise to the role.
✨Master Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiation is a big part of this role, be ready to discuss your negotiation tactics. Prepare a few scenarios where you’ve successfully negotiated contracts or agreements, focusing on how you maximised value and leveraged supplier relationships.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires strong stakeholder management skills, so think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build relationships. Prepare to discuss how you've influenced decisions in the past and how you plan to engage with senior stakeholders in this new role.
