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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for Facilities Management, Travel, and Global Logistics with a £55m annual spend.
- Company: Ocado Group is a tech-driven leader in online grocery innovation since 2000.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, private medical insurance, and flexible work options.
- Why this job: Shape a new team, drive impactful projects, and advocate for quality supplier partnerships.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equal opportunities and employee well-being.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About Us
Ocado Group is a technology-led, global, software and robotics platform business, with a strong retail heritage. Ocado has been at the forefront of innovation in the online grocery industry since it was founded in 2000. Its retail business, Ocado.com, is one of the world’s largest online-only supermarkets with over £2.2bn annual revenue and over 795,000 active customers.
About The Role
We’re now building our very first Indirect Procurement team and are hiring two senior professionals to help shape the function alongside our newly appointed Head of Indirects. As Category Lead, you will lead Ocado’s Facilities Management, Travel and Global Logistics procurement activity across c£55m annual spend, defining and delivering a portfolio of category management, sourcing and supplier management initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Partnering
- Business Partner department heads and budget owners, becoming embedded within leadership teams.
- Act as a ‘Critical Friend’ for key business owners, providing support and education in managing key supply partner relationships.
- Be a vocal and compelling advocate for the value of quality procurement and supplier partnerships.
- Execution
- Deliver outstanding ‘Total Procurement Benefit’ for Ocado across Cost, Risk, Quality, ESG and Innovation, role modeling excellent delivery for the wider procurement team.
- Lead a programme of Strategic Sourcing, SRM and Renewals projects within the categories.
- Lead high value, high importance supplier negotiations in the category space to deliver great value for money, win:win engagements and outcomes with partners.
- Category Management
- Use expert knowledge of categories to deliver step change improvements in the way we engage, contract and manage partners in that space.
- Embed a Category Management approach to procurement across owned categories.
- Supplier Partnerships
- Utilise expert influencing skills to secure preferential engagements with strategic partners.
- Be a key escalation point for supplier performance management for stakeholders.
- Procurement Improvement
- Take ownership for specific continuous improvement activities within indirect procurement.
- Provide SME input to the Procurement Transformation programme, and participate in ongoing best practice sharing and collaboration initiatives across the procurement teams.
About You
- Extensive Procurement experience in category management, strategic sourcing, SRM and contract management.
- Deep category expertise in the FM and/or Travel verticals.
- Brilliant business partnering and influencing capabilities, able to speak and operate in non-procurement terms to truly understand and unlock value.
- A natural story teller who can build compelling narratives and communicate with insightful clarity.
- Expert negotiator, adept at driving win:win outcomes with suppliers.
- Robust analytical experience, having leveraged multiple sources of data to inform strategies, recommendations and decision making.
What We Offer
We believe in supporting our people with meaningful, flexible benefits that prioritise well-being and work-life balance. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:
- Time to recharge: 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 after 5 years), plus the option to buy more – and 30 days a year to work from anywhere in the world.
- Health & wellbeing: Private Medical Insurance from your first month, wellbeing support through specialist apps and EAP, plus Income Protection and Life Assurance.
- Family-first policies: 22 weeks paid maternity/primary carer leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (after qualifying period).
- Financial support: Pension with employer matching up to 7%, share schemes (Sharesave & BAYE), and interest-free loans for train tickets.
- Commuter perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and free shuttle buses to/from Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City stations.
- Exclusive discounts: 15% off at Ocado.com with free delivery (starting in your first month).
Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, or disability or union membership status.
Category Lead employer: Ocado Group
Contact Detail:
Ocado Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Ocado's business model and values. Understanding their technology-led approach and commitment to innovation in the online grocery industry will help you align your experience with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Ocado, especially those in procurement roles. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Category Lead position, which can give you an edge in interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your experience in category management and strategic sourcing. Highlighting successful negotiations and supplier partnerships you've managed will demonstrate your capability to deliver value in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends in facilities management and travel procurement. Being knowledgeable about current market conditions and innovations will show your proactive approach and readiness to contribute to Ocado's procurement transformation.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Category Lead position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially in procurement, category management, and supplier partnerships.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and contract management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in Facilities Management and Travel verticals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that tells your story. Explain why you are passionate about procurement and how your background aligns with Ocado's values and goals. Be sure to mention your ability to influence and partner with business leaders.
Showcase Analytical Skills: In your application, emphasise your analytical experience. Provide examples of how you've used data to inform strategies and decision-making in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Category Lead position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocado Group
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what the Category Lead position entails. Familiarise yourself with Ocado's procurement processes, especially in Facilities Management and Travel. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful negotiations you've led. Highlight how you achieved win:win outcomes and the strategies you employed. This is crucial for demonstrating your fit for a role that involves high-value supplier negotiations.
✨Demonstrate Business Partnering Experience
Be ready to share instances where you've effectively partnered with business leaders. Discuss how you’ve influenced decision-making and added value beyond traditional procurement roles. This will show your ability to be a 'Critical Friend' within leadership teams.
✨Prepare for Analytical Questions
Expect questions that assess your analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform procurement strategies and decision-making. Providing concrete examples will illustrate your robust analytical experience.
