Global Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

About the Role

The Global Category Manager, Indirect Procurement, is responsible for shaping and delivering category strategies across selected indirect spend areas, with particular ownership for IT, Finance and Professional Services categories. The role operates in a global business environment and combines category strategy ownership, stakeholder influence and sourcing execution to deliver value across cost, quality, service, risk and compliance.

Working closely with Indirect Procurement Leadership and business stakeholders, the role will provide input into the broader Indirect Procurement strategy, own category strategies for assigned areas, lead strategic sourcing and negotiations, and ensure suppliers, contracts and commercial arrangements support business priorities and transformation objectives.

Accountabilities

• Develop and own procurement plans for assigned indirect categories, ensuring they align to business priorities, functional objectives and the broader Indirect Procurement strategy, with clear plans for stakeholder engagement, savings, value creation, risk reduction, supplier performance and resilience.
• Lead commercial renewal pipeline, including negotiations with suppliers, securing competitive pricing and robust contractual terms that meet business, legal and operational requirements while managing supplier performance through reviews and continuous improvement actions.
• Analyze and interpret contracts, identifying risks, opportunities and compliance requirements, and provide clear recommendations to stakeholders, including Business Unit Directors and senior leadership, to support timely decision‑making.
• Partner with leadership and cross‑functional teams—including Finance, IT, Legal, HR, Supply Chain and business unit stakeholders—to align procurement activities with broader business goals and transformation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policy, delegated authority, legal, regulatory, safety and ethical standards, working closely with Legal, Compliance, Audit, Finance and other control functions as required.
• Lead end‑to‑end project sourcing activity for assigned categories, including opportunity assessment, stakeholder alignment, market engagement, bid development, evaluation, negotiations, contracting, implementation and renewal management.
• Interface proactively with key stakeholders, Business Unit Directors and senior leadership to understand strategic direction, demand requirements, budget priorities and business objectives, and translate these into category and sourcing plans.
• Use deep knowledge of supplier markets, industry trends and commercial benchmarks to ensure category strategies and supplier programmes remain competitive and relevant throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Provide clear, audience‑appropriate communications and presentations to stakeholders so the business understands category strategy, sourcing options, market trends, business cases, supplier recommendations and implementation implications.
• Seek alternative and innovative solutions, challenge requirements and specifications constructively, and influence stakeholders toward commercially sound decisions that create competitive advantage and sustainable value.
• Act as a trusted procurement business partner, balancing stakeholder needs with policy compliance, risk management and long‑term commercial outcomes.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Professional certifications a plus.
• 5–7+ years in strategic sourcing, category management or indirect procurement, with a proven track record of delivering year‑over‑year savings, value creation and supplier performance.
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders, including Business Unit Directors and functional leaders, in complex, cross‑functional decision‑making environments.
• Advanced understanding of procurement policies, business objectives, financial drivers and operating models relevant to global indirect categories, with the ability to apply these in strategic category planning.
• Strong knowledge of sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiation and category management, with sufficient commercial judgement to advise stakeholders on trade‑offs, risks and value levers.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuade and influence suppliers and internal stakeholders, adapt style to different audiences, explaining procurement, commercial and contractual issues in simple and credible business terms.
• Resolve complex or unusual issues using strong judgement, analytical thinking and pragmatic problem solving, and guide stakeholders through appropriate procurement and commercial pathways.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, relationship‑building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organisation and to build trust with Business Unit Directors, budget holders and functional leaders.
• Proven ability to influence business outcomes through category decisions, commercial recommendations and stakeholder engagement for assigned categories on a regional and/or global basis.
• Able to apply established procurement principles while contributing ideas, insights and recommendations to senior management on category strategies, procurement practices and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams, stakeholder agendas and sourcing timelines concurrently.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions‑oriented approach to problem solving and the confidence to challenge constructively where required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment, including across remote teams.

What You'll Get

As a business operating in 50 countries worldwide, we offer a global rewards package to all employees alongside a range of country‑specific benefits. The global package includes a bonus scheme, 16‑week Equal Parental Leave and mental health & well‑being support. Flexible working policy. Competitive salary. Discretionary annual bonus. Excellent employer pension contribution. Personal private medical insurance. Life assurance.

Equal Opportunity

Tate & Lyle is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.