Senior Category Manager in London
Senior Category Manager

Senior Category Manager in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
ING

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 strong relationship-building skills.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with cutting-edge technology and diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in procurement within regulated industries; degree in business or related field preferred.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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, and 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 identify 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 such as 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.

    ING Privacy Notice: In order to operate ING’s recruitment process, we will collect and store personal information you provide. Please read the attached privacy notice to understand how ING uses and protects this information.

    Senior Category Manager in London employer: ING

    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 blend of global reach and local expertise, ensuring that your contributions directly impact the organisation's success while adhering to regulatory standards.
    ING

    Contact Detail:

    ING Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the procurement field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, share your insights on market trends and procurement strategies. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also shows that you’re genuinely interested in the role.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you would handle various procurement scenarios, especially around contract negotiations and supplier management. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you along the way, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for joining our team!

    We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager in London

    Category Management
    Sourcing/Procurement
    Stakeholder Relationship Building
    Contract Negotiation
    Market Knowledge Gathering
    End-to-End Procurement Lifecycle Management
    Regulatory Understanding
    Project Management
    Supplier Relationship Management
    Commercial Acumen
    Flexibility
    Influencing Skills
    Team Leadership
    Strategic and Tactical Procurement

    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 technology and regulated environments. 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 at ING. Share specific examples of your achievements in procurement and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

    Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: Since building relationships is key in this role, make sure to highlight your experience in stakeholder management. We love to see how you've successfully collaborated with various teams and suppliers in the past.

    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 makes the process smoother for everyone involved.

    How to prepare for a job interview at ING

    ✨Know Your Procurement Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in the context of regulated industries 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

    Prepare examples that highlight your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers. Think about times when you successfully navigated complex negotiations or managed stakeholder expectations.

    ✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

    Be ready to discuss how you've developed and implemented category plans in the past. Show that you can think strategically about procurement and how it aligns with business objectives, especially in technology-focused categories.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

    Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in procurement. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies when faced with challenges like contract negotiations or supplier management.

    Senior Category Manager in London
    ING
    Location: London

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