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- Tasks: Lead procurement for software, managing suppliers and strategic activities across a complex organisation.
- Company: Join a dynamic company focused on maximising buying power and delivering effective procurement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for travel, and a chance to work in a multi-site environment.
- Other info: Experience in a fast-paced global organisation is essential; embrace change and lead teams to success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving strategic procurement initiatives and collaborating with senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree in IT Procurement or strong knowledge in software procurement required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Lead the procurement spend across a range of software and related services. Manage a range of software suppliers including niche providers. Work across a complex organisation of multiple operating companies, ensuring the delivery of effective, robust and compliant procurement that delivers the business plan while maximising the Group’s buying power. Lead procurement strategic activities, including category planning, sourcing, risk management and act as a single point of contact for senior stakeholders. Deliver big strategic procurement programmes end to end.
Your responsibilities
- Responsibility for developing and implementing a 3-5 year category plan for the given sub-category.
- Responsibility for developing and implementing local and global sourcing strategies for all external spend related activity.
- Management of stakeholder relationships in all operating companies, ensuring appropriately robust challenge while delivering the operating companies’ business plans.
- Manage supplier risk to protect the operating companies and the Group from financial, operational and reputational damage.
- Provide commercial innovation to internal stakeholders through interaction with the supply base.
- Work with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to resolve commercial and contractual disputes; in particular suppliers with high complexity and/or high spend.
- Support operating companies tier 1 (high strategic/high risk/high spend) projects.
- Work with strategic suppliers to grow and develop supplier markets.
- Ensure supplier performance management is robust, effective and compliant.
- Identify, challenge, harmonise and simplify specifications and processes across the operating companies to ensure that Group buying power is maximised.
- Ensure that all procurement activity is carried out in line with Group and operating company governance principles.
- Develop effective working relations with key interfaces across the Group and operating companies including line, finance, legal and other stakeholders.
- Take an active role in cross-departmental strategic and leadership activities.
Your skills, experience and qualifications
- Degree and/or ability to demonstrate strong knowledge of working in IT Procurement, preferably with Software.
- Strong demonstrable commercial expertise including contract negotiation and dispute resolutions.
- Strong aptitude and knowledge across full commodity lifecycle and awareness of market trends and suppliers.
- Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to evaluate, analyse and solve problems.
- Ability to influence, align diverse views and gain consensus, providing clarity and direction on what is to be achieved and break down barriers that get in the way of effective team working.
- Ability to prioritise, maintain clear focus and provide direction in constant ambiguity and change.
- Ability to operate effectively in an environment with tight deadlines, finite resource and uncertainty.
- Senior level experience of partnering with Senior Leaders and Executives in a fast moving and agile business environment.
- Senior level experience in Procurement gathered in a complex global organisation.
- Experience of working in an environment of change involving people, process, policy and technology.
- Experience managing teams for success across multiple countries and cultures.
- Willingness to travel and work in a multi-site/location environment.
Category Lead - Software (FTC 14 mths) employer: IAG Transform
Contact Detail:
IAG Transform Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead - Software (FTC 14 mths)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Understand their software needs and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-life examples. When discussing your experience, highlight specific projects where you led procurement activities or managed supplier relationships. This will help us see your impact and how you can contribute to our team.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team and are willing to take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead - Software (FTC 14 mths)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Lead role. Highlight your experience in IT Procurement and any relevant software supplier management. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in procurement. Whether it’s a successful contract negotiation or a strategic sourcing initiative, we love to see quantifiable 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 makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at IAG Transform
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your IT procurement knowledge, especially around software. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed supplier relationships and navigated complex procurement processes in the past.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to talk about your experience with developing and implementing category plans. Think of a time when you successfully led a strategic procurement programme and be ready to share the outcomes and lessons learned.
✨Stakeholder Management is Key
Since this role involves working with senior stakeholders, come prepared with examples of how you've influenced and aligned diverse views in previous roles. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships and manage expectations effectively.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect questions that test your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Have a few scenarios in mind where you successfully resolved disputes or managed risks, showcasing your commercial acumen and resilience.