At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement activities and manage supplier relationships to drive value.
- Company: Join The AA, a leading motoring organisation with over a century of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, health benefits, and discounts on AA products.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career progression and personal development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment while supporting business growth.
- Qualifications: Significant procurement experience and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Company Think the AA is just about roadside assistance? Think again. For over a century, we've been evolving and adapting. Today, as the nation's leading motoring organisation, we offer a wide range of products and services to millions of customers. From roadside assistance to home and motor insurance, and the latest driving technologies, we have it all. As we continue to expand, diversify, and modernise, joining us as a Procurement Category Manager – Road Operations means you'll play a crucial role in our success and be part of this exciting motoring journey.
Location: Oldbury (hybrid working 3 office days per week) with regular travel to our Basingstoke HQ as well as offsite supplier visits.
Employment Type: Initial 6-month Fixed Term Contract (FTC).
Benefits: Cash-Car Allowance & Private Medical Insurance.
Job Overview: At The AA, we're transforming how we deliver value across our business and for our customers. We’re looking for an experienced Procurement Category Manager to join us on an initial 6‑month fixed term contract and make an immediate impact within a high‑profile procurement portfolio. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys partnering with senior stakeholders and has a proven track record of delivering sourcing, contracting and supplier management outcomes. You'll play a key role in managing strategic procurement activity across a complex spend area while supporting business priorities and driving measurable value. We’re looking for someone who can quickly build credibility, work autonomously and deliver results in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities:
- Leading end to end procurement activity, from opportunity identification and RFP management through to contract negotiation and supplier onboarding.
- Developing and delivering category and sourcing strategies that support business objectives, commercial performance and operational requirements.
- Managing supplier relationships and performance, ensuring suppliers deliver against agreed contractual, service and commercial commitments.
- Identifying and delivering cost optimisation, efficiency and value creation opportunities across third party spend.
- Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, providing commercial insight, market intelligence and procurement expertise.
- Supporting risk management, governance and compliance activities while helping to drive continuous improvement across procurement processes.
Qualifications:
- Significant procurement experience with strong end to end sourcing and category management expertise.
- Proven experience leading competitive tendering exercises, RFPs, supplier selection processes and contract negotiations.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage spend, challenge requirements and deliver measurable business value.
- Experience building effective relationships with suppliers and stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership teams.
- Excellent supplier management and contract management capability, with a focus on performance, risk and continuous improvement.
- Experience within automotive, fleet, logistics or service-based environments would be highly beneficial, although we welcome applications from top performing procurement professionals from other sectors.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme.
- Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution.
- Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends.
- Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance.
- Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more.
- Company funded life assurance.
- Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career.
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family.
Additional Information: We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.
Procurement Category Manager - Road Operations in Oldbury employer: The AA
At The AA, we pride ourselves on being more than just a roadside assistance provider; we are a dynamic and evolving organisation that values innovation and growth. As a Procurement Category Manager in Oldbury, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive benefits including a cash car allowance and private medical insurance, and a supportive work culture that fosters professional development and inclusivity. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a range of employee perks and a commitment to diversity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Manager - Road Operations in Oldbury
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Manager - Road Operations in Oldbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show The AA that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, The AA can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows The AA that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let The AA know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at The AA
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
