Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic category management and drive procurement initiatives for optimal client solutions.
- Company: Join JLL, a leader in real estate shaping a better world through innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Work with top businesses and build lasting professional connections.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the dynamic field of facilities management and procurement.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in FM procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.
If you're looking to step up your career, JLL Workplace Management is the perfect professional home. At JLL, you'll have a chance to innovate with the world's leading businesses, put that expertise into action on landmark projects, and work on game-changing workplace and facilities management initiatives. You'll also make long-lasting professional connections through sharing different perspectives, and you'll be inspired by the best. We're focused on opportunity and want to help you make the most of yours. Achieve your ambitions – join us at JLL Workplace Management!
Role Summary: The Category Manager role sits within our UK and Ireland (UK&I) Sourcing and Procurement Team, with direct reporting to the Category Management Lead and a matrix reporting line to the EMEA Regional Category Management Lead. Operating within this dual reporting structure, the role holder will align closely with EMEA regional strategy while delivering UK and Ireland business objectives.
The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of building deep market knowledge across all service lines and sectors where we currently operate, and the ability to develop Category strategies which support and facilitate the business in delivering optimal Client solutions and benefits. Additionally, this position involves developing and managing preferred suppliers while identifying opportunities to balance self-performance versus delivery through preferred supplier partners. Experience operating effectively within matrix reporting structures and balancing regional and local priorities will be essential.
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:
- Strategic Category Management: Serve as hard services category specialist and subject matter expert for allocated categories. Soft services experience also desirable. Develop and execute category strategies aligned with UK&I business needs and EMEA regional direction. Drive preferred supplier list consolidation, leverage economies of scale, and deliver measurable value.
- Procurement and Solution Development: Create strategic solutions for commodity and service requirements. Manage end-to-end procurement events including RFP management, bid analysis and stakeholder liaison. Lead category strategy execution and proactively identify improvement opportunities. Support new business pursuits, transitions and client renewals by defining optimal supply chain solutions.
- Financial Performance: Deliver financial targets while identifying additional value opportunities. Lead the Alliance Programme to drive supplier partnerships and achieve revenue targets. Provide monthly tracking and collaborate with finance partners. Mitigate external impacts including inflation and material shortages.
- Market Intelligence: Maintain strong facilities management market knowledge and develop category insights. Apply market intelligence to identify and qualify new suppliers. Develop comprehensive understanding of WPM UK&I self-delivery versus subcontracting strategy and create make-versus-buy scenarios.
- Supply Chain Management: Utilize supply chain analytics to assess category needs. Rationalize supply base and implement strategic supplier frameworks. Develop Supplier Relationship Management and Performance Management programmes with key partners to maximize PSL value through insights into supplier capabilities, new business pipelines, responsible procurement initiatives, innovations, and HSSE compliance. Engage stakeholders as relationship sponsors and promote PSL capabilities through targeted events and communications to drive business adoption.
- Business Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with Sourcing and Procurement, EMEA Category Management and key stakeholders across JLL. Establish a network of SMEs and integrate them into supply chain activities.
- Governance, Compliance & Reporting: Manage supplier onboarding and challenge new supplier requests where PSL coverage exists. Ensure compliance with Responsible Procurement and HSSE standards. Partner with specialist teams to deliver social value opportunities and maintain contractor compliance. Maintain current Buyers Guides and Category Dashboards. Serve as primary escalation point for Category Management enquiries. Apply ethical company standards consistently across all activities.
- WPM UK&I Self-Delivery: Partner with WPM UK&I self-delivery business to ensure the PSL effectively supports operational requirements across all business sectors (National Engineering, Hall and Kay, Integral Cooling Technologies, WPM Soft Services, etc.), working closely with sector leads to drive supplier performance, enable efficient self-delivery operations, and deliver continuous improvement aligned to business objectives.
Key Expectations:
- Serve as hard services category subject matter expert and primary point of contact
- Lead end-to-end procurement: RFPs, supplier due diligence, contract negotiation, and implementation
- Deliver SRM and SPM programs across allocated categories to maximize PSL value
- Achieve financial targets and Alliance Programme revenue goals through strategic supplier partnerships
- Develop and execute category strategies with supplier summaries, market insights, and stakeholder engagement plans
- Maintain facilities management market intelligence and identify/qualify new suppliers
- Rationalise supply base and drive PSL consolidation to leverage economies of scale
- Partner with WPM UK&I self-delivery operations to support business requirements
- Drive PSL Compliance across the organization
- Ensure compliance with Responsible Procurement and HSSE standards
- Manage supplier onboarding and challenge unnecessary new supplier requests
- Maintain Buyers Guides, Category Dashboards, and provide data-driven insights
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders, functional leads, SMEs, and EMEA Category Management teams
- Provide strategic thought leadership to identify cost and operational efficiencies
- Support new business pursuits, transitions, and client renewals with optimal supply chain solutions
- Operate within matrix reporting structure, balancing EMEA regional and UK&I local priorities
- Proven ability to deliver results in challenging environments
Requirements & Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree required; MBA or relevant Master's degree preferred.
Certifications: Professional procurement certifications highly valued: CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), MCIPS, or equivalent.
Previous Experience: 5+ years progressive FM procurement / category management experience. UK&I FM category management experience – Hard Services is the preference, but some Soft Services experience will also be relevant to this role. Ideally experience of working within a Hard Services or an Engineering discipline.
Targeted Competencies: Proven supplier management capabilities encompassing commercial performance, risk mitigation, and relationship development. Demonstrated proficiency in procurement leadership, negotiation, stakeholder influence, and change management governance. Strong written and verbal communication skills across all organizational levels. Excellent interpersonal and organisational abilities. Strategic supplier relationship management experience with C-suite executives and procurement leadership.
Category Manager employer: Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated
Contact Detail:
Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager
✨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 JLL and understanding their values and goals. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of shaping a brighter way forward. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your category management expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Mention something specific from the interview to remind them of your conversation and reinforce your interest in joining the JLL 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 being part of the JLL family. So, get that application in and let’s shape a brighter future together!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement and category management, especially in hard 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 passionate about this role at JLL and how you can contribute to shaping a brighter way forward. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've delivered financial targets or improved supplier relationships. We love seeing measurable results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
As a Category Manager, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of both hard and soft services. Research the latest trends in facilities management and be prepared to discuss how you can apply this knowledge to develop effective category strategies that align with JLL's objectives.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. Highlight your experience in negotiating contracts and driving performance improvements, as these are key aspects of the role at JLL.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since financial performance is a major focus for this position, come prepared with examples of how you've delivered on financial targets in previous roles. Discuss any strategies you've implemented to identify additional value opportunities and mitigate risks.
✨Engage with Stakeholders Effectively
Building strong relationships is essential in this role. Think of ways you've engaged with stakeholders in the past and be ready to discuss how you would approach relationship-building at JLL. Emphasise your ability to integrate subject matter experts into supply chain activities.