At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage subcontractor relationships and drive performance across the UK and Nordics.
- Company: Leading international organisation with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Take ownership of key supplier networks and make a real impact on business initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or category management, strong negotiation skills, and analytical abilities.
Robert Half are thrilled to be working with a leading international organisation in their search for a Field Subcontracting Category Specialist for an initial 6-month period. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a subcontractor network across the UK and Nordics. You’ll ensure the right suppliers are in place to support operations, while driving cost, quality, compliance, and performance.
Working closely with procurement, operations, and H&S teams, you’ll influence sourcing decisions, lead negotiations, and play a key role in delivering major business initiatives.
Key Details:- Location: Leicester
- Salary: £120 - £140/day
- Working pattern: Full-time – hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)
- Contract Length: 6 months, potential for extension
- Manage and coordinate subcontractor relationships across the UK and Nordic region.
- Ensure subcontractors are successfully onboarded, compliant, and ready to support operational requirements.
- Build strong partnerships with suppliers, driving performance, quality, and service delivery.
- Lead commercial negotiations and support the renewal of pricing agreements.
- Work closely with operational teams to understand workforce requirements and ensure sufficient subcontractor capacity.
- Support sourcing activities and contribute to strategic tender processes.
- Collaborate with health, safety, and compliance teams to ensure suppliers meet internal standards and regulatory requirements.
- Analyse supplier performance, spend, and market trends to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Deliver cost-saving initiatives and support wider category management objectives.
- Experience within construction, engineering, industrial services, facilities management, utilities, or a related sector would be highly advantageous.
- Experience in procurement, category management, supplier management, or subcontractor management.
- Previous experience working with subcontracted services, labour providers, or external delivery partners.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience negotiating contracts and supplier agreements.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams.
- Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel capability.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to delivery.
Category Specialist in Coventry employer: Robert Half
Join a leading international organisation as a Category Specialist in Leicester, where you will thrive in a dynamic hybrid work environment that promotes collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to influence key sourcing decisions and drive significant business initiatives while enjoying competitive pay and the potential for contract extension. Our supportive work culture values teamwork and excellence, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist in Coventry
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Robert Half that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Robert Half can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Robert Half that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Robert Half know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Robert Half
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
