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- Tasks: Implement strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives for Operational Services.
- Company: Join SJP, a company passionate about excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, generous leave, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising costs and enhancing supplier performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and CIPS qualification preferred.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for career growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Cirencester, United Kingdom
Posted on: 13/11/2025 – Application Deadline: 27/11/2025
Are you ready to chart your own career path? At SJP we need talented individuals like yourself to support our evolving culture. If you’re seeking an employer that is passionate about excellence, innovation and autonomy, SJP could be the place for you.
Location: Cirencester Office
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Employment Type: Permanent
Seniority: Mid-Senior Level
The role: This person will act as a trusted adviser to the business in implementing the strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives for Operational Services within SJP. The Operational Services spend category incorporates the following spend categories: Travel and Events, Marketing, Subscriptions, Facilities, Print, Recruitment and HR Services. They will work with stakeholders within the Group Expense Management team and across the business to reduce cost and maximise value.
What you’ll be doing:
- Strategy Implementation: working for the Category Lead ensure that the strategy set for the category is implemented and maintained across SJP.
- Cost Optimisation and savings: identify and deliver opportunities for cost savings and increased ROI. Support the implementation of a cost-control approach across the category and use benchmarking to regularly test price competitiveness.
- Stakeholder Engagement: collaborate across SJP directorates to implement the category strategy and identify opportunities for improvement (cost/value/supplier performance) with the business.
- Sourcing and negotiation: responsible for sourcing events including RFIs, RFPs, contract negotiation and the choice of suppliers for the category. Apply negotiation strategies to help with the selection of suppliers.
- Risk Management: escalated risks to the strategy or suppliers to the Category lead.
- Reporting & Analytics: feed into KPI reporting to monitor the effectiveness of procurement activities.
Who we’re looking for: The ideal candidate will stay informed about market trends, emerging technologies and industry best practices for indirect procurement categories (Facilities, Marketing & Travel specifically), and be able to apply knowledge of RFP/RFI approaches, supplier evaluation, cost optimisation and negotiation techniques. They will have knowledge of cost models/cost structures and be able to score suppliers during an RFP process and articulate these to stakeholders. They will develop knowledge of the relevant category and how it is utilised across SJP and be able to understand the category strategy on the cost base and objectives of the relevant business areas. They will have strong communication skills and be able to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
Recent experience in procurement and category management gained within indirect spend categories. Proven experience in negotiating and managing contracts for the relevant category. CIPS qualification at any level or qualified by experience. Broad understanding of SJP’s approach to risk management with suppliers if relevant to this specific role. Strong communication and interpersonal skills – able to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
What’s in it for you? We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts. We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:
- Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
- Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
- 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
Reasonable Adjustments: We’re an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all. If you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk. Research tells us that applicants (especially those from under‑represented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career‑break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What’s next? If you’re excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch. As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
Procurement Category Manager - Operational Services employer: St. James’s Place
Contact Detail:
St. James’s Place Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Manager - Operational Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at SJP 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 knowing your stuff! Research SJP’s recent projects and their approach to procurement. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves sourcing and contract negotiation, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend to sharpen your techniques and boost your confidence.
✨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 serious about joining the SJP team.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Manager - Operational Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in indirect spend categories like Facilities and Marketing. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your negotiation skills and stakeholder engagement experience – we love that!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements. Did you save costs or improve supplier performance? Quantify your successes to show us the value you can bring to SJP. Numbers speak louder than words!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at SJP!
How to prepare for a job interview at St. James’s Place
✨Know Your Categories
Before the interview, dive deep into the specific spend categories mentioned in the job description, like Travel, Marketing, and Facilities. Familiarise yourself with current market trends and best practices in these areas so you can speak confidently about how you would approach cost optimisation and supplier selection.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led or been a part of. Be ready to discuss your strategies and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to handle sourcing events and contract negotiations effectively, which is crucial for this role.
✨Engage Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve successfully collaborated with stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you influenced decisions or improved supplier performance. This will highlight your strong communication skills and ability to build relationships, which are key for this position.
✨Understand Risk Management
Brush up on risk management principles related to procurement. Be ready to discuss how you would identify and escalate risks to the Category Lead. Showing that you understand the importance of risk management in supplier relationships will set you apart from other candidates.