At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and drive cost savings in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join STADA Group, a diverse and innovative company committed to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, health benefits, and generous leave.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while championing sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Core Responsibilities
- Procurement & Sourcing: Develop and implement local category and sourcing strategies aligned with global procurement strategies and wider business objectives. Lead end-to-end procurement activities including tendering, supplier selection, negotiation, contract award, and supplier onboarding. Deliver measurable cost savings, value creation, and total cost of ownership improvements across indirect spend categories. Ensure all procurement activities comply with internal governance, procurement policies, and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Supplier & Contract Management: Build and maintain strong strategic supplier partnerships that drive innovation, service excellence, and long-term value. Negotiate commercial agreements, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) to optimise commercial outcomes. Monitor supplier performance, compliance, and risk through regular business reviews and KPI tracking. Proactively identify and mitigate cost price increases through effective commercial and contractual negotiations.
- Stakeholder Management: Act as a trusted procurement partner to stakeholders across multiple business functions. Influence and challenge stakeholders constructively to achieve the best commercial outcomes. Support budget owners with procurement planning, forecasting, and strategic sourcing decisions.
- Commercial & Continuous Improvement: Analyse spend data and market trends to identify opportunities, efficiencies, and potential risks. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and promote procurement best practices across the organisation. Support sustainability, ESG, and responsible sourcing objectives in line with company commitments. Contribute to the development and standardisation of procurement tools, templates, and processes.
- Digital & AI-Enabled Procurement: Champion data-driven and AI-enabled procurement solutions to improve spend visibility and supplier performance. Develop procurement dashboards and reporting capabilities to support business decision-making. Partner with stakeholders to align procurement initiatives with ROI and performance metrics. Drive automation and digital transformation of procurement processes where possible.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards certification).
- Significant procurement experience within the pharmaceutical, healthcare, FMCG, or regulated commercial environment.
- Strong experience managing end-to-end procurement and category management processes within global or matrix organisations.
- Expertise in supplier negotiation, contract management, and strategic sourcing.
- Experience using procurement systems, spend analytics, and digital procurement tools.
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
- Strong analytical thinking with the ability to translate data into commercial insight and action.
- A proactive, pragmatic, and solutions-oriented approach.
- Strong communication and influencing skills with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders.
- A continuous improvement mindset with interest in innovation, automation, and AI-enabled procurement.
How We Care for You
- Competitive salary, car allowance and annual bonus scheme.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme offering 8% employer contribution rates.
- Hybrid working – we spend three days of your choice in the office, with the remaining days working at home.
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays with the potential to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Health benefits provided through our Vitality Private Medical Insurance.
- Free winter flu jab.
- Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme and KYAN Wellbeing – offering free coaching and counselling services for you and your family.
- Electric Car Scheme through Octopus Energy, plus free on-site EV charging.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Enhanced Family Leave.
- Plus, many more employee benefits & celebration events.
STADA Group values and promotes its diverse culture, regardless of gender, age, social or ethnic origin, disabilities, religion, ideology, or sexual orientation. We use the strength of our uniqueness to develop creative ideas, expand our experience and increase innovative strength. Our focus is on equal opportunities, respectful cooperation, and the promotion of an inclusive working environment. We are looking forward to your application and welcome applications without a pharmaceutical background.
Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirects in Reading employer: STADA Arzneimittel AG
STADA Group is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary, generous benefits, and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, STADA fosters a collaborative culture where innovative ideas thrive, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to meaningful projects in the procurement sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirects in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Procurement Category Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around cost savings and supplier management. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves a lot of supplier negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend or mentor. This will help you feel more confident when discussing contracts and SLAs during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Category Manager - Commercial Indirects in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Procurement Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in commercial indirects, and showcase any relevant achievements that align with our core responsibilities.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for us. Mention specific examples of how you've driven cost savings or improved supplier relationships in previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:We love data-driven decision-making! In your application, highlight your analytical skills and any experience you have with spend analytics or digital procurement tools. This will show us you can bring valuable insights to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at STADA Arzneimittel AG
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around category management and supplier negotiation. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the pharmaceutical and FMCG sectors, as well as any relevant regulations. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Bring examples of how you've analysed spend data or market trends to identify opportunities for cost savings or efficiencies. This will demonstrate your analytical thinking and ability to translate data into actionable insights.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you can establish strong relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced and collaborated with different teams in previous positions. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve successfully navigated complex stakeholder environments.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss your mindset towards continuous improvement and innovation in procurement. Share any initiatives you've led or been part of that focused on enhancing processes or implementing new technologies. This shows you're proactive and aligned with their focus on digital transformation and AI-enabled solutions.
