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- Tasks: Lead a high-impact portfolio managing external talent and drive innovative procurement strategies.
- Company: Join McKinsey & Company, a global leader in consulting with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy continuous learning, a voice that matters, and exceptional benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; 7 years of relevant experience preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with top-tier suppliers and enhance category management capabilities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
You are someone who thrives in a high-performance environment, bringing a growth mindset and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle meaningful challenges that have a real impact. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we’ll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to help you quickly broaden your expertise, grow into a well-rounded professional, and contribute to work that truly makes a difference.
What You’ll Get
- Continuous learning
- A voice that matters
- Global community
- Exceptional benefits
Your Impact
As Senior Category Manager for External Talent Category (e.g. Non-Tech External Worker (EW) and Advisor) you will lead a high-impact, enterprise-wide portfolio encompassing hundreds of suppliers across a diverse external worker and advisor supplier domain. You will be accountable for shaping and executing a comprehensive category strategy that supports the firm’s broader business objectives, driving financial value, ensuring regulatory and policy compliance, advancing sustainable procurement practices, and enhancing the colleague’s experience. In this strategic role, you will define the long-term direction of the Non-Tech EW and Advisor categories by developing forward-looking plans, building strong cross-functional partnerships, and fostering relationships with top-tier and niche external worker providers. You’ll drive innovation and efficiency in how the firm sources and manages external worker and advisor engagements, particularly in complex or high-risk areas—ensuring that supplier relationships deliver measurable business outcomes. You will collaborate closely with global and local business leaders to identify and act on opportunities to rationalize the supplier landscape, expand strategic partnerships, and optimize costs without compromising quality, performance, or client satisfaction. A strong focus will be placed on risk mitigation, improving contract structures, and ensuring invoice accuracy and audit readiness. Through disciplined supplier performance management and strategic sourcing initiatives, you will streamline procurement operations, reduce complexity, and unlock economies of scale. You will also serve as a key knowledge hub—building and leveraging relationships with industry experts, peer organizations, and suppliers to continuously enhance the firm’s category management capabilities and bring best-in-class thinking into procurement decisions. Your work will drive the evolution to a scalable and sustainable strategy that continuously unlocks value through supplier relationship management, operational efficiencies and financial impact that empowers the Firm to scale and innovate effectively.
Your Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, PhD) or equivalent practical experience strongly preferred
- 7 years of experience in sourcing, category management, procurement, or consulting, with a strong track record of delivering business value
- Proven experience in managing a large global contingent workforce program is preferred
- Proven ability to assess complex problems, synthesize insights, and drive data-backed decisions. Skilled in creating and interpreting analytical outputs, including Excel models and category performance reports
- Ability to produce high-quality deliverables, including PowerPoint presentations, sourcing documentation, contract summaries, and other written materials that support decision-making
- Highly organized and self-motivated, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, balance long- and short-term goals, and see initiatives through from concept to execution
- Strong time management and attention to detail in a dynamic, fast paced, and often autonomous work environment
- Demonstrated ability to drive structured processes and deliver consistent, repeatable outcomes
- Adept at building trusted relationships across functions, geographies, and levels of seniority
- Ability to influence without authority and work effectively in cross-functional teams
- Embraces a collaborative, non-hierarchical approach and fosters a culture of mutual respect and accountability
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to a variety of audiences and seniority levels. Comfortable presenting to, and influencing, senior stakeholders
Senior Category Manager - External Talent (Contingent Labor) employer: McKinsey & Company
Contact Detail:
McKinsey & Company Recruiting Team
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We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager - External Talent (Contingent Labor)
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager - External Talent (Contingent Labor)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in sourcing and category management, and don’t forget to mention any specific achievements that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Skills: We want to see your analytical prowess! Include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions and improve processes. If you’ve managed a large contingent workforce program, make that front and centre in your application.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us see your communication skills right from the start, which is super important for this role.
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How to prepare for a job interview at McKinsey & Company
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Senior Category Manager for External Talent. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as managing supplier relationships and driving financial value. Brush up on your knowledge of procurement practices and be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, prepare to discuss specific examples where you've used data to drive decisions. Bring along any relevant reports or models you've created, and be ready to explain your thought process. This will demonstrate your capability to assess complex problems and deliver data-backed insights.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, it's not just about what you know, but also about how you connect with others. Practice building rapport by engaging with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their experiences and the company culture at McKinsey & Company. This shows you're genuinely interested and can help you stand out.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. Think of examples from your past experience where you've had to balance long-term goals with immediate needs. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
