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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy for Professional Services, managing sourcing and supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Mitie, a leader in delivering exceptional services every day.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career development, and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Make an impact by optimizing services and driving innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and experience in stakeholder management required.
- Other info: CIPS qualification preferred; opportunity to mentor and develop a team.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join us and help deliver the exceptional, every day.
Job Overview
The Category Lead will be responsible for developing and implementing the procurement Strategy for our Professional services categories of spend, reporting into the Head of Procurement – Indirects.
Professional services categories may change from time to time and currently include Consultancy, Legal, Finance, Insurance, Training, Marketing, Benefits & Rewards
You will have ownership of category strategy development, execution, and sourcing activity, ensuring supply chain solutions are aligned to the business needs and represent lowest total cost, optimal service, highest quality with relevant impactful ESG credential and innovation.
You will Implement Mitie\’s supplier management programs across all key areas of spend.
You will manage, develop and mentor any direct reports with particular focus on how we enable our people to deliver exceptional value, every day
Main Duties
Sourcing, Negotiations & Contracting
- Lead all strategic Professional services procurement activities
- Develop category strategies aligned to the business requirements and wider strategy
- Lead on complex high value sourcing projects and negotiations, identifying new and more competitive sources of supply
- Negotiate and influence suppliers to achieve best market value
- Ability to identify cost reduction opportunities within the business
- Liaise with suppliers to resolve issues with performance and regularly review, suggest, and develop improvements
Stakeholder Management
- Manage and support a wide range of internal stakeholders through to board level
- Accountable for the development and delivery of annual targets and goals across cost, quality, reliability, and delivery
- Work cross-functionally with other departments and internal stakeholders
- Manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, from aligning with internal colleagues to gather, assess and challenge business requirements; to appropriately challenging external stakeholders whilst maintaining relationships
Supplier Management
- Implement and manage our Supplier Management Program covering all preferred suppliers, reviewing current processes and procedures, and identifying areas for improvement
- Measure supplier performance to identify areas for improvement, and work collaboratively to increase ESG credentials and Innovations.
Key External Relationships:
3rd Party Suppliers
Professional and Industry Groups
Key Internal Relationships:
Procurement Leadership Team and wider team (Centre of Excellence, Business partners)
Chief Procurement Officer
Internal Audit & Financial Teams
Mitie Professional services Leadership Teams
Business Division MD\’s and FD\’s, and Finance Business Partners
What we are looking for
Proven procurement professional and subject matter expert within the Professional services categories (Consultancy, Legal, Finance, Insurance, Training, Marketing, Benefits & Rewards), showing evidence of self-development, with at least 5 years procurement experience.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills (written and oral), customer facing skills, excellent organizational skills.
- Accountable and dedicated, with a proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving and fast paced environment.
- Clear track record of stakeholder management with a clear focus on collaboration, strategy implementation and risk mitigation.
- Capable of conflict management and resolution.
- Experience managing a small team (desirable).
- CIPS qualification is preferred but not essential.
- Degree or equivalent work experience.
Category Lead - Professional Services employer: Mitie
Contact Detail:
Mitie Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead - Professional Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the latest trends and best practices in procurement, especially within the professional services categories. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a fast-paced environment.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who specialize in professional services. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven cost reductions in previous roles. Highlighting these experiences will showcase your ability to deliver exceptional value, which is key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Understand Mitie's values and how they align with your own professional philosophy. Being able to articulate how you can contribute to their mission of delivering exceptional service every day will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead - Professional Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Category Lead position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially in procurement and stakeholder management.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in procurement, particularly within professional services categories like Consultancy, Legal, and Finance. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, provide examples of how you've successfully managed stakeholders or led negotiations. Highlight any relevant training or certifications that support your skills.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your application materials to reflect the values and goals of the company. Mention how your approach aligns with their focus on delivering exceptional value and improving ESG credentials.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mitie
✨Showcase Your Procurement Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience in procurement, especially within the professional services categories like Consultancy, Legal, and Finance. Prepare specific examples of successful sourcing projects you've led and how they aligned with business needs.
✨Demonstrate Strong Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss your negotiation strategies and outcomes. Share instances where you influenced suppliers to achieve the best market value and how you identified cost reduction opportunities.
✨Emphasize Stakeholder Management
Prepare to talk about your experience managing relationships with various stakeholders, from internal teams to external suppliers. Highlight your ability to collaborate and challenge effectively while maintaining strong relationships.
✨Discuss Your Approach to Supplier Management
Explain how you have implemented supplier management programs in the past. Be prepared to discuss how you measure supplier performance and identify areas for improvement, particularly in relation to ESG credentials and innovation.
