At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Source to Contract activities and negotiate terms in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join Marks & Spencer, a leading name in retail with a strong commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and the chance to make a real impact on business strategies.
- Other info: This is a 12-month contract with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of a fast-moving business and shape category plans for success.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial contracts and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Marks & Spencer is seeking a commercial contracts professional on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract to lead end‑to‑end Source to Contract activities and negotiate terms within governance guardrails. You will collaborate with D&T, Finance and Procurement to shape category plans and embed commercial benefits into the budget, while building relationships and ensuring governance standards are met. This role sits at the heart of a fast‑moving retail business, offering exposure to broad stakeholder.
Strategic D&T Category Manager (12-Month Contract) in London employer: MARKS&SPENCER
At MARKS&SPENCER, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel. As an Engineering Strategy Lead in Greater London, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth, offers mentorship opportunities, and encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Join us to be part of a team that values excellence and is committed to making a meaningful impact in the retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic D&T Category Manager (12-Month Contract) in London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic D&T Category Manager (12-Month Contract) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show MARKS&SPENCER that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, MARKS&SPENCER can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows MARKS&SPENCER that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let MARKS&SPENCER know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at MARKS&SPENCER
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
