At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and manage key indirect spend categories globally.
- Company: Join Pelsis Group, a global leader in procurement excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on innovation and operational effectiveness.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategies and drive sustainable value across the business.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in procurement and category management required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced
Category Leader – Indirect Procurement to join the Pelsis Group Procurement Centre of Excellence and take ownership of key indirect spend categories across our global business.
This is a strategic and highly commercial role with the opportunity to influence how we manage categories including logistics, facilities, professional services, IT, marketing and capex-related services .
Working across multiple business units and partnering with stakeholders across Finance, IT, Operations, HR, Marketing and Legal, you’ll develop and deliver category strategies that create sustainable value, strengthen our supplier partnerships and improve how we manage indirect spend globally.
You’ll play an important role in our wider cost transformation and operational effectiveness agenda, balancing commercial value with supply resilience, sustainability, risk and long-term business needs.
- How You’ll Make an Impact
- Take ownership of global indirect spend categories, developing and delivering category strategies that support both immediate priorities and our longer-term business plans.
- Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier consolidation and competitive tendering to deliver sustainable cost savings and commercial value.
- Identify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership, improve working capital and drive greater efficiency across our indirect spend.
- Lead high-value commercial negotiations covering service contracts, rate structures, SLAs, terms and conditions and multi-year agreements.
- Build strong, strategic relationships with key suppliers, moving beyond transactional procurement to develop partnerships that support innovation, service and continuous improvement.
- Establish clear supplier performance measures across quality, service, delivery, compliance, cost and sustainability.
- Use data, market intelligence and benchmarking to identify opportunities and provide stakeholders with clear commercial insight to support decision-making.
- Strengthen supplier and category risk management, including financial stability, business continuity, data security, ESG, compliance and legal considerations.
- Partner with stakeholders across the global business to understand their requirements, challenge where appropriate and ensure procurement strategies support wider commercial and operational objectives.
- Drive greater consistency in procurement processes, policies and governance across our regions and business units.
- Support wider strategic initiatives including business transformation, outsourcing decisions, footprint expansion and the integration of acquired businesses.
- Act as an ambassador for Procurement across Pelsis, helping to demonstrate the value that effective category management can bring to the wider organisation.
- What You’ll Bring
- Strong experience within procurement, category management or strategic sourcing , ideally gained within a multi-site, international or global organisation.
- Proven experience managing complex
Indirect Spend categories , which could include logistics, facilities, IT, professional services, marketing or capex-related services.
- A strong commercial mindset with the ability to identify value beyond headline cost savings, considering total cost of ownership, working capital, risk, service and long-term value.
- Experience leading complex sourcing exercises and negotiating high-value commercial contracts and supplier agreements.
- Strong supplier management skills, with experience establishing KPIs, performance reviews and continuous improvement programmes.
- Excellent stakeholder management and business partnering skills, with the confidence to influence, challenge and build credibility with stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong financial and analytical capability, with the ability to turn procurement and commercial data into meaningful insights and actions.
- Experience using ERP, procurement or analytical systems such as
SAP, Dynamics 365 or Power BI would be advantageous.
- The ability to operate strategically while remaining comfortable getting involved in the detail when required.
- Experience supporting change, transformation or procurement standardisation across multiple business units would be beneficial.
- Knowledge of sustainability, ESG and supplier compliance programmes would be an advantage.
- Professional qualifications such as
CIPS, APICS/CSCP or Lean/Six Sigma would be welcomed but are not essential.
At Pelsis, you’ll be joining a global organisation where Procurement has an important role to play in how we operate, grow and create sustainable value.
This is an opportunity to take real ownership of your categories, work with stakeholders across the business and help shape how we approach indirect procurement globally.
Category Leader in Birmingham employer: Pelsis Group
As a Supply Planning Lead at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive benefits, including flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional advancement, all set in a vibrant location that fosters innovation and teamwork. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Leader in Birmingham
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Pelsis Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Leader in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Pelsis Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Pelsis Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Pelsis Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pelsis Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Pelsis Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Pelsis Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Pelsis Group's culture.
