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- Tasks: Lead the Professional Services category, managing £75m+ spend and 500+ suppliers.
- Company: Join Kingfisher, a dynamic team of over 78,000 passionate individuals in home improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, private healthcare, generous holidays, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team driving innovation and sustainability in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strategic sourcing is essential; fluency in French and English required.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth and development in a supportive culture that values your ideas.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We’re Kingfisher, a team made up of over 78,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas - to life. We want to become the leading home improvement company and grow the largest community of home improvers in the world.
At Kingfisher, our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We want to ensure that all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants to Kingfisher are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
We are open to flexible and agile working, both of hours and location. Therefore, we offer colleagues a blend of working from home and our offices, located in London, Southampton & Yeovil. Talk to us about how we can best support you!
We’re recruiting for a Group Category Manager to lead the Professional Services category where you’ll manage a spend of £75m+ and 500+ suppliers. Your role will be to build and manage the long-term category strategy to ensure best GNFR spent value that enables the delivery of our Powered by Kingfisher strategic priorities. This role can be based in any of our offices in the UK or France. Fluency in French and English is required for this role.
- Build and align category strategies with stakeholders, converting them into actionable initiatives that drive savings, efficiency, and business alignment.
- Oversee category performance across key areas including spend, contracts, supplier management, and risk, ensuring adherence to procurement processes and tools.
- Conduct market intelligence research, analyse supplier data, and negotiate contracts, pricing, and SLAs to maximize value and mitigate risks.
- Develop a deep understanding of internal customer needs, delivering agile solutions while using data and insights to challenge and influence stakeholder decisions for long-term success.
- Promote knowledge sharing across stakeholder groups and embedding a strategic procurement culture.
- Develop partnerships with key suppliers to enable optimum performance & competitiveness.
Experienced Category Manager managing a significant spend & supplier base within a global/matrix organisation. Proven ability in end-to-end strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management, including category transformation & performance management. Experience with Source-to-Pay (S2P) processes and technology (e.g., Coupa). Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with a track record of influencing at senior levels. Expertise in procurement excellence, sustainability, risk management, and ensuring business continuity.
At Kingfisher, we value the perspectives that any new team members bring, and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to apply for one of our roles even if you do not feel you meet 100% of the requirements. In return, we offer an inclusive environment, where what you can achieve is limited only by your imagination! We encourage new ideas, actively support experimentation, and strive to build an environment where everyone can be their best self.
We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career.
Our Behaviours: At Kingfisher, we are united by our 6 core behaviours:
- Constantly improving our customer experience
- Acting with humanity and care
- Be curious
- Acting inclusively in diverse teams to achieve together
- Working with trust, pace and agility
- Championing the plan to deliver results and growth
Training & Development: There are many ways you can grow, learn, and develop here at Kingfisher. Conversations with senior leaders, resources and tools to help you grow, and initiatives that measure development are all part of our commitment to your professional journey.
Application Process: What to expect from our application process:
- Step 1: Application - Send in your application via our Kingfisher Careers website.
- Step 2: Review - A member of the Talent Acquisition team will review your application.
- Step 3: Interview 1 - You’ll have a telephone interview/one to one conversation with a recruiter.
- Step 4: Interview 2 - You’ll be invited to attend a face-to-face or virtual interview.
- Step 5: Feedback - Your recruiter will contact you with feedback and, if successful, the details of your job offer!
Ready to get started?
Group Category Manager - Professional Services employer: Kingfisher plc
Contact Detail:
Kingfisher plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Category Manager - Professional Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Kingfisher's brands and their unique offerings. Understanding the specific needs of B&Q, Screwfix, and others will help you tailor your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your negotiation skills, especially in the context of supplier management. Being able to demonstrate your ability to negotiate contracts effectively can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in category management within large organisations. This can provide you with insights and potentially valuable connections.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would implement sustainable practices in procurement. Kingfisher values sustainability, so showcasing your knowledge and ideas in this area can make a strong impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Category Manager - Professional Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage significant spend and supplier bases.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your values align with Kingfisher's core behaviours, such as being customer-focused and inclusive. Be sure to address your fluency in both French and English.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight skills that are crucial for the role, such as negotiation, market intelligence research, and data analysis. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to drive savings and efficiency in previous roles.
Prepare for Interviews: Research Kingfisher’s brands and their market position. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their ambitions of becoming the leading home improvement company. Prepare questions that show your interest in their strategic priorities and culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kingfisher plc
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Group Category Manager. Familiarise yourself with managing significant spends and supplier bases, as well as the strategic sourcing processes. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Kingfisher values strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders or led teams to achieve strategic goals. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and drive results.
✨Demonstrate Market Knowledge
Conduct research on the professional services market and be ready to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities. This shows your proactive approach and helps you engage in meaningful conversations about category strategies during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Bilingual Skills
Fluency in both French and English is essential for this role. Be prepared to demonstrate your language skills during the interview, whether through direct conversation or by discussing your experience working in bilingual environments.
