Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Category Specialist, supporting procurement and sourcing activities.
- Company: Phoenix Group is a leading asset management firm focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 38 days annual leave, private medical cover, and a generous bonus scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving cost savings and supplier relationships in a flexible work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and knowledge of marketing or financial services required.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer adjustments during the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 46000 £ per year.
Job Description
We have an incredible opportunity to join us here at Phoenix Group as a Category Specialist to join our Asset Management & Product category team within the Group Procurement and Partner Management function (GPPM) .
Job Type: Fixed Term Contract – 6 months
Location: This role is hybrid with working from home and time in either our Edinburgh or Birmingham offic e.
Flexible working: All of our roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process. You can read more about Phoenix Flex here.
Closing Date: 29 th July 2025
Salary and benefits : £52,100-£55,000 plus 16% bonus up to 32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more
The role
We’re looking for a proactive and commercially minded Category Specialist to support our GPP Managers. In this role, you’ll be responsible for identifying, evaluating and acquiring Marketing & Brand and Client-Facing/Financial Services solutions from external third-parties. You will be involved in researching market trends, negotiating contracts, and end-to-end sourcing activities to ensure the selected third-party solutions align with company standards and objectives.
Key Accountabilities
Category strategy development: Support the development and implementation of sourcing strategies and plans for Marketing & Brand and Client-Facing/Financial Services categories and sub-categories.
Supplier selection and management: Research the supply market to identify, assess and commercially manage end-to-end relationships with suppliers to ensure the delivery of high-quality products and services at competitive pricing.
Sourcing and negotiation: Lead, or support, the sourcing process for solutions within category remit – negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance to achieve cost savings and mitigate risks.
Deliver and embed cost savings: Implement cost optimisation strategies including, but not limited to, demand management, volume consolidation, and process efficiencies to drive savings and improve profitability.
Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with sourcing activities, including managing regulatory contractual change, ESG standards (Environmental, Social and Governance), supplier risks, contract risks and ensure business continuity.
Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with internal stakeholders including Finance, Legal, Risk, and Business Unit executives to understand their needs and requirements and provide strategic guidance and support.
Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives with the Centre of Excellence team ensuring that procurement and third-party management best practices and technology is adopted to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of GPPM.
What are we looking for?
- Demonstrable experience of working in a Procurement role responsible for an indirect category of spend (ideally involving Marketing and/or Technology), leading end-to-end third-party sourcing activities including opportunity identification, drafting of technical and commercial requirements, market analysis, proposal / supplier evaluation, commercial and contracting negotiation planning and execution, and awareness of third-party risk management process.
- Good negotiating skills with the ability to influence and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Some knowledge of the Marketing & Brand and/or Client-Facing/Financial Services third-party supply markets, with an inquisitive mind.
- Some working knowledge of contracting models, commercial terms and conditions and the confidence to negotiate them.
- Experience of working with procurement tools and systems & working knowledge of financial services regulation.
We Want To Hire The Whole Version Of You.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so apply early to avoid missing out.
Find out more about
- Guide for Candidates: thephoenixgroup.pagetiger.com/guideforcandidates
- Find or get answers from our colleagues:
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Category Specialist employer: Phoenix
Contact Detail:
Phoenix Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the Marketing & Brand and Client-Facing/Financial Services sectors. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your proactive approach to understanding the market, which is crucial for a Category Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in procurement and category management. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals that could enhance your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your negotiation skills. Consider role-playing scenarios with friends or colleagues to practice your approach to supplier negotiations. Being able to effectively communicate and influence stakeholders is key for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Phoenix Group’s values and recent initiatives. Understanding their culture and objectives will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showing that you are aligned with their mission and ready to contribute positively to their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, particularly in Marketing and Financial Services. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention how your background aligns with the responsibilities of a Category Specialist and express your enthusiasm for contributing to Phoenix Group.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your negotiating skills, ability to manage supplier relationships, and experience with procurement tools. Be sure to mention any knowledge of ESG standards and risk management processes.
Showcase Continuous Improvement Initiatives: If you have experience driving continuous improvement in procurement processes, make sure to include this in your application. Highlight any specific initiatives you've led that resulted in cost savings or enhanced efficiency.
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix
✨Research the Company and Role
Before your interview, take some time to understand Phoenix Group's values, mission, and the specifics of the Category Specialist role. Familiarise yourself with their procurement processes and recent projects in Marketing & Brand and Client-Facing/Financial Services.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your experience in procurement and negotiation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, highlighting relevant experiences that demonstrate your skills and achievements.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Be ready to discuss your approach to negotiations. Prepare examples where you successfully negotiated contracts or managed supplier relationships, focusing on how you achieved cost savings and mitigated risks.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face in procurement, or how they measure success in the Category Specialist role. This shows your genuine interest in the position.
