Strategic Sourcing Manager in Milton

Informa is a leading academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge and events business, creating unique content and connectivity for customers all over the world. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100. Taylor & Francis Group operates globally and produces high quality, peer reviewed books and journals. We produce unique, trusted content by expert authors, spreading knowledge and promoting discovery globally. Our purpose is to foster human progress through knowledge.

We are seeking an experienced Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead category management initiatives and drive strategic value through procurement excellence. Reporting into the Strategic Sourcing Director, this role combines strategic thinking with operational execution to optimize organizational spend, manage supplier relationships, and support business objectives through data-driven category strategies.

• Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives and organizational priorities.
• Conduct detailed category analysis including spend analysis, market research, and supplier landscape assessment.
• Create 3-5 year category roadmaps with clear milestones, deliverables, and value creation opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional teams to ensure stakeholder alignment and successful strategy implementation.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs and adjust strategies based on market dynamics and business needs.
• Execute end-to-end strategic sourcing processes including RFx development, supplier evaluation, and contract negotiation.
• Build and maintain a robust supplier portfolio through market analysis and supplier capability assessment.
• Develop supplier relationship management strategies to optimize performance, innovation, and risk mitigation.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and implement improvement plans where necessary.
• Lead supplier development initiatives to enhance capability and drive continuous improvement.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into procurement strategies.
• Influence senior leadership and cross-functional teams to drive adoption of category strategies.
• Facilitate stakeholder workshops and category review meetings to ensure alignment and buy-in.
• Provide expert procurement guidance and support to business units within assigned categories.
• Build strong internal and external relationships to enable successful category outcomes.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and value creation through strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Develop total cost of ownership models and business cases for sourcing decisions.
• Negotiate complex commercial terms and conditions to optimize value while managing risk.
• Track and report on category financial performance, savings delivery, and budget compliance.
• Support budget planning processes with market intelligence and cost forecasting.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate category-specific risks including supply chain, financial, and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to maintain business continuity.
• Conduct supplier due diligence and ongoing risk monitoring activities.
• Implement sustainable procurement practices and ESG considerations within category strategies.
• Analyse complex spend data to identify opportunities for consolidation, standardization, and optimization.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform sourcing strategies.
• Develop category insights and recommendations based on data analysis and market trends.
• Create comprehensive reports and presentations for senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Maintain category knowledge base and share best practices across the procurement organization.

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong negotiation skills and understanding of commercial terms and conditions.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent relationship building and influencing skills across all organizational levels.
• Analytical Mindset: Data-driven approach to decision making with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with ability to present to senior leadership.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously with competing priorities.

• Robust and demonstrable experience of procurement or category management across a variety of categories.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable savings and value through strategic sourcing.
• Experience managing complex, high-value categories with multiple stakeholders across several geographic locations.
• Demonstrated success in supplier relationship management and contract negotiation.
• Experience working in a matrix organization with cross-functional teams.
• CIPS qualification Level 4 or equivalent professional certification.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in spend analysis tools and data visualization within Excel and Power BI.
• CIPS qualification Level 6 or equivalent professional certification.
• Additional certifications such as LSS, CPSM, CPM, or PMP.
• Experience in media publishing or similar B2C industries.

Location: We believe that great things happen when people connect face-to-face. That’s why we work in-person with each other, or with customers and partners, three days a week or more. When you’re not spending time together in one of our offices or other workplaces – like at conference – you get the flexibility and support to work from home or remotely. The successful candidate will be able to utilise our balanced working model. We ask that candidates live within a commutable distance of our offices in Milton Park, Oxfordshire to ensure that as a balanced worker they can make it to our office locations to collaborate as required. There is an expectation for a minimum of 3 days per week in-person time.

Closing Date: Applications will close on 18th March 2026.

• An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic, flexible working culture.
• 25 days annual leave per year plus a day off for your birthday.
• 3 additional discretionary days off during the holiday season at the end of the year.
• 4 paid volunteering days each year.
• Company funded single cover private medical insurance.
• Employee assistance programme – offering 24/7 well-being support.
• Share Match – Plan that matches every share purchased with two free shares.
• Life assurance, plus optical and medical care.

If you’re excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed above. At Taylor & Francis, we are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and make a contribution regardless of their identity or background.

Taylor & Francis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in and value diversity of people and thought, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves.