Head of Category Management in London

Head of Category Management in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Siemens

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to drive innovative procurement strategies in the Rail industry.
  • Company: Join Siemens Mobility, a global leader committed to innovation and inclusivity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, mental health support, and generous leave policies.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values diversity and personal development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that champions growth and sustainability.
  • Qualifications: Strong experience in category management and procurement leadership required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

What if your next role actually made you excited for Mondays? At Siemens Mobility, we believe our people are the cornerstone of our success. We are committed to nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member can thrive. Join our global community, where your growth and development are as important as our shared mission to innovate and transform the Rail industry.

Role Overview

We're looking for a Head of Category Management to lead our UK&I Siemens Mobility Procurement team, with a strong focus on direct spend and regional impact.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop a team of Regional Category Managers, driving the creation and delivery of regional category strategies in close collaboration with the Group Category network and key stakeholders.
  • Establish a clear, strategic approach to sourcing across the region, spanning supplier selection, panel management and supplier relationship management.
  • Act as the central point of contact for resource allocation, ensuring Regional Category Manager expertise is deployed effectively to support bids and projects.
  • Lead localisation across SMO UKI, strengthening regional supply chains and delivering sustainable value.
  • Build strong stakeholder relationships, drive alignment and deliver consistent, high-performing procurement outcomes through strategic thinking and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure strong governance, capability and resource alignment across all categories.
  • Shape and deliver regional category strategies aligned to business objectives, localisation requirements and Group category direction.
  • Drive supplier excellence through effective selection, segmentation, performance management and strategic partnerships.
  • Strengthen stakeholder collaboration with Procurement, Engineering, PLM and wider teams to enable standardisation, innovation and successful delivery.
  • Enhance customer relationships, building trusted partnerships internally and externally.
  • Deliver financial value, ensuring budgets are met while identifying and realising cost reduction opportunities to improve competitiveness and project outcomes.
  • Champion a high-performing, safe and compliant culture, embedding HSQE standards, continuous improvement, strong people leadership and Siemens values.

Qualifications

  • Strong category management experience, with a proven track record supporting major bids and complex project environments.
  • Procurement leadership expertise, particularly across direct spend within a project or delivery-led organisation.
  • Ability to operate in a matrix environment, collaborating effectively across multi-disciplinary and geographically dispersed teams.
  • Commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with the ability to drive value and influence outcomes.
  • Excellent stakeholder management, building relationships across all organisational levels, both internally and externally.
  • Confident communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
  • Demonstrable experience in procurement within complex, project-based environments.

Preferred

  • CIPS (or equivalent), business or engineering degree, SAP experience, multinational exposure, leadership of matrix teams, or experience in a safety-critical or regulated industry.

Benefits

  • Wellbeing: Flexible working, 24/7 mental health support, subsidised gym memberships, subsidised Bupa healthcare, enhanced sick pay.
  • Financial: Match and More pension, life assurance, perks at work discounts, cycle to work scheme, annual bonus.
  • Family: Day-one parental rights, shared parental leave, extra holidays for length of service, 26 days annual leave plus public holidays, flexibility to buy or sell up to five days each year, volunteering days and sabbaticals.
  • Personal Growth: Access to online learning, support for external training and development opportunities, inclusive culture promoting equality and belonging, active employee networks, opportunities to grow your skills and career.

Disability

We are a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applications from all individuals, including those with disabilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter, who will be happy to support you.

If you don't match all the criteria for this role but feel you have transferable skills to enable you to succeed, we encourage you to apply.

Head of Category Management in London employer: Siemens

At Siemens Mobility, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our flexible working arrangements, comprehensive mental health support, and generous family leave policies. With a strong focus on personal growth and development, we offer numerous opportunities for career advancement within a dynamic and innovative environment, making every Monday something to look forward to.

Siemens

Contact Details:

Siemens Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Category Management in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Siemens Mobility on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Siemens Mobility is all about innovation and teamwork, so think of examples from your past that showcase your collaborative spirit and strategic thinking.

Tip Number 3

Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in complex project environments. Highlight your ability to drive results and build strong stakeholder relationships.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Siemens Mobility family.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category Management in London

Category Management
Procurement Leadership
Direct Spend Management
Stakeholder Management
Commercial Acumen
Negotiation Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about the opportunity to lead and innovate in category management. Share why this role at Siemens Mobility gets you pumped for Mondays!

Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in procurement and category management. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive value and influence outcomes. Don’t just list your skills; show us how you’ve used them effectively!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and qualifications.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do – just follow the prompts and you’ll be on your way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Siemens

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Siemens Mobility's values and mission. Understand their approach to procurement and category management, especially in the context of direct spend. This will help you align your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Category Management, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in complex project environments. Highlight your ability to drive strategic thinking and continuous improvement, as these are key aspects of the role.

Build Relationships

Stakeholder management is crucial for this position. Think of instances where you've built strong relationships across different levels of an organisation. Be ready to discuss how you can enhance collaboration between Procurement, Engineering, and other teams to achieve high-performing outcomes.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and commercial acumen. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle supplier selection or performance management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.