At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global procurement transformation programme focused on supplier payments and cash performance.
- Company: Join a leading multi-category consumer goods organisation with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working pattern, and opportunity for impactful work.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior stakeholders and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape procurement's role in cash generation and drive measurable financial results.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, finance understanding, and strong analytical skills required.
A leading multi-category consumer goods organisation is looking for an experienced Global Category Lead to take ownership of a high-profile global programme focused on supplier payments, working capital and cash performance.
Duration: 6-12 month contract
Pay: (Apply online only) p/day (Inside IR35 via Umbrella)
Location: London
Working Pattern: 3 days onsite
This is not a traditional category management role. The right person will need to operate at the intersection of Procurement and Finance, understanding how procurement decisions influence cash flow, working capital, P&L and wider business performance. You’ll lead a global supplier payment optimisation programme, translating financial objectives into practical procurement initiatives and measurable results.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead a complex, global procurement transformation programme
- Set targets and create structured plans to deliver measurable financial benefits
- Drive improvements across supplier payment terms, working capital, DPO and cash generation
- Develop new procurement tools, dashboards, KPIs and performance reporting
- Translate financial objectives into actionable procurement and supplier strategies
- Lead supplier engagement and implement sustainable payment-term improvements
- Build robust governance, benefits tracking and executive reporting
- Partner with senior stakeholders across Procurement, Finance, Treasury, Legal and GBS/shared services.
Working across Procurement, Finance, Treasury, Legal and shared services, you’ll develop and deliver plans to improve supplier payment terms and working-capital performance, with success measured against OCF and DPO outcomes.
Key Requirements:
- Strong experience within Procurement, transformation or complex programme delivery
- A genuine understanding of Finance and the commercial impact of procurement decisions
- Experience within Finance, Treasury, Source-to-Pay, Supplier Payments or other finance-enabled procurement programmes
- Knowledge of working capital, payment terms, DPO, cash flow and/or OCF
- Experience delivering complex, cross-functional transformation or change programmes
- Strong analytical skills and experience creating dashboards, KPIs, benefits tracking or performance reporting
- Confidence working with Finance and other senior cross-functional stakeholders
- The ability to turn strategic financial targets into structured initiatives and deliverable outcomes
- Strong supplier and stakeholder management capabilities
Rather than focusing purely on negotiation or category savings, you’ll help shape how procurement directly contributes to cash generation and working-capital performance. If you’re a procurement professional with a strong financial mindset who enjoys transformation, data and turning ambitious targets into measurable results.
Global Category Lead in City of London employer: Matchtech Group
Matchtech is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a strong focus on the rail sector in Winnersh, employees benefit from comprehensive support, flexible working options, and exciting team incentives, all while contributing to significant infrastructure developments in Ireland. Join a dedicated team where your contributions are valued, and you can thrive in a dynamic environment that fosters both personal and career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Category Lead in City of 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 Global Category Lead in City of 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 Matchtech Group 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, Matchtech Group 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 Matchtech Group 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 Matchtech Group 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 Matchtech Group
✨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.
