Senior Category Manager
Senior Category Manager

Senior Category Manager

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
ING Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement projects, optimise vendor relationships, and negotiate contracts in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join ING, a leading financial services provider with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a collaborative team that values adaptability and strategic thinking.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with cutting-edge technology and diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in regulated procurement, strong relationship-building skills, and a degree in a relevant field.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

The Procurement department manages ING's external spend and suppliers and works closely with ING Global and WB Procurement as well as with the various business partners who benefit from our services. The main objective of the Procurement department is to maximise the business benefits ING gets from its vendors. We buy the full range of products and services from IT, Market Data, banking systems, consulting, recruitment, facilities services, energy. We also manage the Know Your Supplier process, ensuring that suppliers are fully qualified.

Roles and responsibilities

  • Category management – Technology focus
  • Sourcing/Procurement: Manage a category or categories to ensure value optimisation and timely delivery of procurement projects through both strategic and tactical activities, including the following:
  • Stakeholder relationship building to ensure internal needs are identified and met
  • External Market knowledge gathering including building key supplier relationships
  • Current state analysis to identifying optimisation opportunities
  • Contract negotiation with suppliers
  • Complete all required contract renewals, terminations, amendments and moves as applicable
  • Development and implementation of annual category plans reflecting elements of sourcing, budget and market information to determine the strategic direction of the category
  • Maintain annual calendar to include contract renewals, reporting activities, budgeting, etc.
  • Following the end-to-end Procurement lifecycle process for the Market Data subcategory, from business requirements to contract execution & performance management
  • You will lead the procurement process, providing direction and oversight to leverage the category spend through robust contract negotiations, supplier selection and management of the commercial aspects of the 3rd party supplier relationships
  • Ensure that the above delivers end-to-end commercial, contractual and relationship lifecycle value, in the eyes of key stakeholders and from the bottom line.
  • Generalist Procurement
  • Managing the end-to-end Procurement lifecycle for other spend areas from business requirements to contract execution & performance management across other spend areas. These could include Transformation, HR, Professional Services, IT, Banking Systems, Premises, Research and Economics, Facilities Management etc.
  • Regulatory
  • Understanding of the regulatory environment within Financial Services and how it affects Procurement specifically. Notably EBA and ECB laws and guidelines such as DORA, Sourcing Guidelines, AI Act etc.
  • Other general responsibilities
  • Ability to fulfil a number two role in the department and step in as the proxy Head of Procurement when required
  • Work with the Global Technology Procurement Team via the WB Technology Procurement lead, to ensure relevant global strategies and projects are implemented within UK (and supported areas such as the Middle East)
  • Be part of the Global Technology Procurement Community, representing UK (and possibly WB when applicable) and vice versa to the UK (and WB countries)
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with the support functions of ING such as Finance, Legal, Compliance, Risk, IT Security etc.
  • Building and maintaining professional relationships with the supplier network of ING.
  • Mentoring of other members of the Procurement Team to support the work above
  • Directly assist the Head of the Procurement in design and implementation of procurement strategies and tactics which significantly improve the commercial performance of ING at local UK level whilst maintaining compliance to ING global category strategies, risk management, compliance and procurement policies and standards and mitigating all related risks.
  • To significantly contribute to the team’s KPIs (examples include P&L Savings, Benchmark Savings, managed spend coverage, specific regulatory delivery, use of market intelligence, use of internal tools/systems)
  • How to succeed

    Essential: Experience of working in a Procurement department within a regulated business, ideally banking, insurance, financial services, PE, hedge funds etc. Although the role will have focus on technology procurement, an ability to manage projects in other categories is also required.

    Desirable: European headquartered banking experience. Full knowledge of the regulatory aspects of Banking Procurement such as EBA Sourcing Guidelines, DORA, AI Act, etc.

    Personal Competencies

    Essential: Flexibility, adaptability, proven influencing skills, ability to quickly and easily build relationships at all levels, working at pace when required, understands procurement processes and systems

    Desirable: Team leadership experience or potential

    Qualification/Education

    Essential: Degree level educated, ideally in a business or research-based subject

    Desirable: Procurement qualifications are not essential, but a true understanding of strategic and tactical procurement, contract development and negotiation and category management and related principles is highly desirable.

    Senior Category Manager employer: ING Group

    ING is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, prioritising employee growth and development. As a Senior Category Manager, you will benefit from a collaborative environment where strategic procurement initiatives are valued, alongside opportunities for mentorship and professional advancement. Located in the heart of the UK, ING offers a unique chance to engage with a diverse range of suppliers and stakeholders, ensuring your contributions have a meaningful impact on the organisation's success.
    ING Group

    Contact Detail:

    ING Group Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field, especially those who have experience in banking or financial services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching ING's procurement strategies and recent projects. Show us you know your stuff by discussing how your experience aligns with their goals, especially in technology procurement and supplier relationship management.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a quick email to the hiring manager. Express your enthusiasm for the role and mention something specific about the company that excites you.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Showcase your adaptability! In your conversations, highlight examples of how you've successfully navigated regulatory challenges in procurement. This will demonstrate your understanding of the compliance landscape that ING operates in.

    We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager

    Category Management
    Sourcing/Procurement
    Stakeholder Relationship Building
    Contract Negotiation
    Market Knowledge Gathering
    Current State Analysis
    Procurement Lifecycle Management
    Regulatory Understanding
    Supplier Relationship Management
    Project Management
    Commercial Acumen
    Flexibility
    Adaptability
    Influencing Skills
    Team Leadership

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in regulated environments like banking or financial services. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

    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 specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage categories and build relationships with stakeholders.

    Showcase Your Knowledge of Regulations: Since this role involves navigating regulatory environments, make sure to mention any relevant knowledge you have about EBA Sourcing Guidelines, DORA, or the AI Act. We love candidates who understand the landscape we operate in!

    Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!

    How to prepare for a job interview at ING Group

    ✨Know Your Procurement Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of procurement processes, especially in a regulated environment like banking. Understand the key regulations such as EBA Sourcing Guidelines and DORA, as these will likely come up during your interview.

    ✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

    Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, be prepared to discuss how you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your ability to influence and collaborate with various teams.

    ✨Prepare for Contract Negotiation Scenarios

    Expect questions around contract negotiation and supplier management. Think of past experiences where you’ve had to negotiate terms or manage supplier relationships, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.

    ✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

    This role requires a strategic mindset, so be prepared to discuss how you would develop and implement category plans. Think about how you can optimise value from vendors and have a few ideas ready to share that align with ING's objectives.

    Land your dream job quicker with Premium

    You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
    Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
    Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
    1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
    Go Premium

    Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

    >