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- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and category management for a diverse indirect spend portfolio.
- Company: Prominent organisation focused on excellence and strong supplier relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, high visibility, and opportunity to influence major spend categories.
- Why this job: Shape category strategy and make a meaningful impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in strategic sourcing and strong stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Hybrid role with 3-4 days in the office and travel opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
This role is within a prominent organisation which is growing its offering. As a large organisation, they are focused on delivering excellence in their services and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
As a Senior Category Manager - Indirects (Non‑IT) you will lead strategic sourcing and category management across a diverse indirect spend portfolio valued at approximately £80m. Categories in scope include professional services, facilities management, marketing services, travel, HR services, and GNFR.
This is a high-impact role within a multi‑site organisation, responsible for delivering cost efficiencies, improving supplier performance, and supporting operational excellence through strong category strategies and stakeholder engagement.
Responsibilities- Category Strategy & Sourcing: Develop and execute category strategies that deliver cost savings, service improvements, and risk mitigation.
- Lead full lifecycle sourcing activities including market analysis, RFI/RFP, evaluation, negotiation, and award.
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across operations, finance, legal, HR, and senior leadership.
- Align procurement activity with business needs and long‑term strategic priorities.
- Manage supplier relationships, KPIs, and performance frameworks.
- Negotiate and oversee contracts to secure favourable commercial and risk‑managed outcomes.
- Monitor category spend and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
- Ensure full compliance with procurement governance and regulatory requirements.
- Identify and address category-specific risks across the supply chain.
- Drive process improvements and contribute to digital procurement initiatives.
- Stay informed on market trends and emerging risks to shape sourcing strategies.
A successful Senior Procurement Manager;
Key Requirements- A proven track record as a Senior Procurements/ Senior Category Leader across multiple categories.
- Strong strategic sourcing and category management experience across indirect spend (professional services, facilities, marketing, HR, travel, etc.).
- Proven commercial acumen with a track record of savings delivery and supplier performance improvement.
- Experience negotiating complex service-based contracts.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across multiple functions.
- Proficiency with procurement processes, e-sourcing tools, analytics, and contract management systems.
- Knowledge of procurement risk management and compliance.
- Experience within a matrixed or multi‑site organisation; regulated environment experience is an advantage.
- Project management capability from strategy to implementation.
- Degree‑educated or equivalent experience.
- MCIPS qualified (or working towards) preferred.
Based in Woking - office attendance 3-4 days per week with travel.
What's on Offer- Competitive Salary
- Opportunity to influence a major spend category with high visibility
- Broad, varied remit with meaningful business impact
- Chance to shape and evolve category strategy in a complex, changing organisation
- Exposure to senior stakeholders and cross‑functional collaboration
Senior Procurement Manager - Category Manager in Woking employer: Michael Page (UK)
Contact Detail:
Michael Page (UK) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Manager - Category Manager in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the procurement field, attend industry events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing indirect spend categories. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email reiterating your interest and highlighting key points from your conversation. It shows enthusiasm and keeps you top of mind.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We want to see your application, and applying directly helps us keep track of your journey. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Manager - Category Manager in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in strategic sourcing and category management, especially in indirect spend. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in supplier relationship management and cost savings. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: In this role, strong stakeholder management is key. Make sure to highlight your experience working with various functions like finance, HR, and operations. We love seeing how you've influenced others and driven results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page (UK)
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the categories you'll be managing, like professional services and facilities management. Research current market trends and challenges in these areas so you can discuss how to drive cost efficiencies and improve supplier performance during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Sourcing Skills
Prepare examples of your past experiences with strategic sourcing and category management. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you delivered savings or improved supplier relationships, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in stakeholder management. Think of instances where you successfully aligned procurement activities with business needs. This will show that you can effectively collaborate across functions and influence senior leadership, which is crucial for this position.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Prowess
Be prepared to talk about your negotiation strategies, especially regarding complex service-based contracts. Share specific outcomes from your negotiations that resulted in favourable terms, as this will illustrate your commercial acumen and ability to secure risk-managed outcomes.
