Senior Category Leader – Indirect Procurement in Solihull

Newly created opportunity for a Senior Category Leader – Indirect Procurement for a growing global product supplier. The Senior Category Leader is a strategic role within the Group Procurement Centre of Excellence. As owner of the global Indirect Spend categories, the role is responsible for defining and executing category strategies, driving commercial value, reducing total cost of ownership, and building long-term strategic partnerships across a diverse portfolio of suppliers. Midlands Hybrid working options + regular group travel.

This position provides leadership across multiple business units, ensuring alignment to group strategy, standardisation of procurement processes, and governance of indirect spend. The role plays a pivotal part in group cost transformation programmes, operational effectiveness, sustainability agenda, and working capital performance.

• Develop and lead long-term global strategies for Indirect Spend categories (e.g., logistics, facilities, professional services, IT, marketing, capex-related services).
• Deliver year-on-year value through cost optimisation, strategic sourcing, and supplier performance improvement.
• Strengthen supply resilience and reduce risk through structured supplier management, contract governance, and category planning.
• Drive standardisation, process discipline, and compliance across all indirect purchasing activity.
• Provide senior stakeholders with insights using data, benchmarking, and market intelligence to support decision‑making.

• Category Strategy & Leadership: Own and deliver 0–5 year category strategies aligned to business priorities, sustainability, and financial goals. Lead global sourcing, supplier consolidation, and cross-functional alignment with Finance, IT, Operations, HR, Marketing, Legal, and Executive teams. Act as senior escalation point for supplier performance, contracts, and risk management.
• Commercial & Supplier Management: Lead high-value negotiations for service contracts, SLAs, T&Cs, and multi-year agreements. Drive measurable savings, cost avoidance, efficiency gains, and working capital improvements. Implement structured supplier performance management and development programs to enhance cost, service, sustainability, innovation, and digital capability.
• Risk, Quality & Performance: Manage supplier risk across compliance, financial health, business continuity, ESG, data security, and legal exposure. Ensure corrective actions, contract compliance, and process adherence. Monitor performance via KPIs, dashboards, and regular business reviews.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Governance: Act as a senior procurement ambassador, influencing stakeholders globally. Standardise processes, policies, and category governance frameworks. Support strategic initiatives including outsourcing, footprint expansion, transformation programs, and post-acquisition integration.

• Senior procurement/category management experience in a global or multi-site organisation.
• Proven success managing complex indirect categories and delivering measurable commercial results.
• Strong commercial, analytical, and ERP/data skills (SAP, Dynamics 365, Power BI).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experienced in leading cross-functional teams and driving change in fast-paced environments.

• Experience managing professional services, logistics, IT, facilities, or capex-related service categories.
• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks, ESG reporting, and supplier compliance programmes.
• Professional certifications: CIPS, APICS/CSCP, Lean/Six Sigma.

This is a rare opportunity in a senior procurement role, driving high-impact improvements that directly support business growth. Full job description available on request. Our client is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All applications will be considered. If you would like to learn more, please apply or contact Tim Hill at Technical Placements for an initial chat about the role.