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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:
- 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:
- Conversations with senior leaders
- Resources and tools to help you grow
- Initiatives that measure development
- Find your path
- Sharing is caring
- Reach for the stars
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 then review your application let you know if you have progressed to the next stage of the process.
- Step 3: Interview 1 - You’ll then have a telephone interview/one to one conversation with a recruiter.
- Step 4: Interview 2 - As you progress, you’ll be invited to attend a face to face or virtual interview.
- Step 5: Feedback - Your recruiter will be in contact 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 nuances of B&Q, Screwfix, and others will help you align your category strategies effectively and demonstrate your commitment to the company during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your negotiation skills, especially in the context of supplier management. Being able to showcase your ability to negotiate contracts and pricing will be crucial, as this role involves managing a significant spend and supplier base.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in procurement and category management. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into best practices and trends, which you can leverage to enhance your strategic approach in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would implement sustainable procurement practices. Kingfisher values sustainability, so being ready to share your ideas on how to integrate these principles into category management will set you apart from other candidates.
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 your expertise in procurement excellence, risk management, 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 would approach building and aligning category strategies, and prepare questions that show your interest in their operations 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 stakeholders or led teams. Highlight your ability to drive savings and efficiency through effective category management.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Abilities
As the role involves conducting market intelligence research and analysing supplier data, be ready to discuss your analytical skills. Share specific instances where your data-driven decisions led to successful outcomes in procurement or supplier management.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusivity
Kingfisher prides itself on diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you have fostered an inclusive environment in your previous roles. Share your thoughts on allyship and how you can contribute to a diverse team culture.
