Procurement Category Lead

Procurement Category Lead

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
LMA Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships across EMEA.
  • Company: Join a dynamic global organisation with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and the chance to influence major decisions.
  • Other info: Opportunities for further assignments and professional growth within the organisation.
  • Why this job: Shape impactful strategies in a sophisticated procurement environment with senior stakeholders.
  • Qualifications: Experience in strategic procurement and strong negotiation skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We are looking for an experienced procurement professional to take a senior role within a global procurement function, leading strategic activity across

Real Estate, Facilities and Workplace Services .

This is not a purely transactional sourcing position.

You will take ownership of major category strategies, work with senior stakeholders across an international organisation and manage strategic supplier relationships across EMEA and globally.

The environment is large, complex and highly collaborative, so we are looking for someone who is comfortable operating with autonomy, bringing structure to ambiguity and influencing decisions at senior leadership level.

What You'll Be Doing

You will

  • Lead and develop global category strategies across Real Estate and Office/Workplace Services.
  • Manage strategic supplier relationships across EMEA and international markets.
  • Lead complex sourcing, commercial negotiations and contract activity.
  • Analyse category spend, supplier performance and market trends to identify opportunities and inform procurement strategy.
  • Partner with senior business stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into commercially effective category plans.
  • Provide insight and recommendations to procurement leadership on market developments, risks and opportunities.
  • Support and develop other members of the procurement team.
  • Drive improvements across procurement processes, technology and ways of working.
  • Work closely with Legal, Technology, Risk, Compliance and other internal teams to ensure appropriate commercial and contractual outcomes.
  • Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to improve value, service quality and stakeholder satisfaction.

What We're Looking For

You'll bring significant experience within strategic procurement and category management , ideally with direct exposure to

Corporate Real Estate, Facilities Management, Workplace or Office Services .

We're particularly interested in people who can demonstrate

  • Ownership of complex category strategies.
  • Strong strategic sourcing and commercial negotiation experience.
  • Real Estate, Property, Facilities Management or Workplace Services category knowledge.
  • Experience operating within a large, international or matrix organisation.
  • Strong supplier and contract management capability.
  • The confidence to engage with and influence senior executives.
  • Experience leading or developing procurement professionals.
  • Strong analytical skills, including using spend and supplier data to support commercial decisions.
  • An ability to manage multiple priorities and programmes simultaneously.
  • A proactive approach and the ability to operate effectively with limited direction.

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of a sophisticated global procurement environment, influencing categories with significant organisational impact.

You'll have the autonomy to shape strategy rather than simply execute sourcing activity, with exposure to senior stakeholders, major suppliers and procurement initiatives spanning multiple markets.

As part of the wider contractor programme, there may also be opportunities to explore further assignments across the organisation as your initial engagement approaches completion.

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Procurement Category Lead employer: LMA Recruitment

Join a dynamic and innovative team in the heart of London, where your expertise as a Portfolio Manager will be valued and nurtured. We offer a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside competitive salary packages and opportunities for professional growth within the specialist property finance sector. Our collaborative culture encourages relationship-building with brokers and clients, ensuring you thrive in a fast-paced environment while making a meaningful impact.

LMA Recruitment

Contact Details:

LMA Recruitment Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Lead

Get Savvy with Industry Perks

Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!

Show Off Your Skills

Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like LMA Recruitment.

Tap into Your Network

Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!

Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards

With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!

We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Lead

Strategic Procurement
Category Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Commercial Negotiation
Analytical Skills
Real Estate Knowledge
Facilities Management Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!

Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!

Tailor Your Cover Letter to LMA Recruitment:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to LMA Recruitment. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!

Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like LMA Recruitment.

How to prepare for a job interview at LMA Recruitment

Show Off Your Negotiation Skills

In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!

Know Your Tools

Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at LMA Recruitment!

Understand Market Trends

As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at LMA Recruitment. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.

Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude

A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into LMA Recruitment's culture.