Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Services)
Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Services)

Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Services)

Warrington Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for marketing and professional services, driving cost savings and supplier innovation.
  • Company: Join Orbia Building & Infrastructure, a global leader in sustainable solutions for healthy environments.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility, competitive pay, and a supportive team culture focused on personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global challenges while working in a diverse and innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement with strong knowledge of marketing and professional services; degree required.
  • Other info: Be part of a purpose-driven company that values calculated risks and embraces diversity.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Join us at Orbia Building & Infrastructure (Wavin): Where purpose comes to life. You’re purpose driven. Growth minded. Ready to stretch your potential. Welcome to Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure business, Wavin, where our purpose ‘to advance life around the world’ drives our entire global team. Every day, we are thinking big and working smart to solve some of the toughest challenges impacting the world. Whether it’s facilitating clean drinking water for communities, creating climate resilient cities, or designing more comfortable living spaces, we never settle for “good enough” when there’s an opportunity to make life better.

At Orbia Building & Infrastructure (Wavin), we advance life around the world by building healthy, sustainable environments. The places we live in: cities where drinking water is leaking away, greenery is disappearing, streets are flooding after heavy rain, and outdated sewer systems are polluting our groundwater. It’s time to join our team and help build more sustainable environments!

We are currently looking for a Category Manager – Indirect Procurement (Services) to join us in United Kingdom (Remote), Wavin UK Limited. If you want to make a difference and work for a purpose-led company, please read on.

Main purpose: The Procurement Category Manager is responsible for Creating Value & Mitigating Risk. Developing and executing category strategies for key service areas, including Marketing and Professional Services. This role will drive strategic sourcing initiatives, manage high-value contracts, and optimize supplier relationships while ensuring alignment with business objectives. The role requires engagement with senior stakeholders across Finance, Legal, HR (People Team), and Marketing to support business goals, drive cost efficiency, and enhance supplier performance. Flexibility to manage across all Indirect Procurement categories is required, and categories within this role may be updated as business priorities change.

Main responsibilities:

  • Category Strategy Development: Define and implement category strategies for Marketing & Professional Services to drive cost savings, efficiency, and supplier innovation.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with Finance, Legal, HR, and Marketing leaders to align procurement strategies with business objectives.
  • Sourcing & Contract Management: Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including RFPs, supplier selection, contract negotiations, and risk management.
  • Supplier Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring performance management and continuous improvement.
  • Cost & Value Optimization: Identify opportunities for cost reduction, value creation, and process improvement across the services categories.
  • Governance & Compliance: Ensure adherence to company procurement policies, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.
  • Market Intelligence: Stay up to date with industry trends, supplier market dynamics, and best practices in professional and marketing services procurement.

Our requirements:

  • University Degree in relevant business discipline with 5+ years of procurement/category management experience in a complex, multinational environment.
  • Strong understanding of strategic procurement principles, particularly in indirect services.
  • Deep knowledge of Marketing & Professional Services categories (e.g., media, creative agencies, consulting, legal services, financial services, HR services).
  • Familiarity with contract law, commercial agreements, and risk mitigation.
  • Expertise in supplier relationship management and performance optimization.
  • Strong analytical skills with proficiency in procurement analytics, cost modelling, and benchmarking.
  • Knowledge of eProcurement tools and contract lifecycle management systems.
  • Proven experience in managing a high value spend portfolio (~$100M+) across multiple geographies.
  • Experience in working with C-level stakeholders and influencing senior decision-makers.
  • Track record in negotiating major centralized contracts and driving cost savings.
  • Strong project management experience, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
  • Experience in supplier market assessments, RFP execution, and strategic sourcing.

What Orbia Building & Infrastructure offers: Do you want to make a difference by working with a purpose? Count on a warm welcome at Orbia Building & Infrastructure (Wavin)! Here we take responsibility for each other and our company. We stay brave in pursuing calculated risks that fuel innovation. And we embrace diversity in perspectives, skills and talents to transform the way we work and the impact we have on the world. Above all we encourage all our employees to develop their talents and to become the best version of themselves. Together, as a strong team, we grow and deliver on our purpose every day. Orbia B&I is the place to be if you truly wish to make an impact. In addition to working with an enthusiastic, professional team in an international environment, we offer a competitive compensation and benefit package.

Organization: Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure business, Wavin, is an innovative solutions provider for the global building and infrastructure industry. Backed by more than 60 years of product development experience, we advance life around the world by building healthy, sustainable environments for global citizens. Whether it’s to improve the distribution of clean drinking water, to make sanitation accessible for everyone, to create climate resilient cities, or to design comfortable living spaces, Orbia B&I collaborates with municipal leaders, engineers, contractors, and installers to help future-proof communities, buildings and homes. Orbia B&I has 11,000+ employees and 65 production sites worldwide, serving over 80 countries through a global sales and distribution network.

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Contact Detail:

Wavin UK, an Orbia business Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Services)

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in indirect procurement, especially in Marketing and Professional Services. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a rapidly evolving field.

Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the procurement industry, particularly those who have experience in managing high-value contracts. Engaging with them can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to referrals for the position.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with stakeholder engagement, especially with C-level executives. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully influenced decision-making or driven cost savings through strategic sourcing.

Tip Number 4

Showcase your analytical skills by being ready to discuss procurement analytics and cost modelling. Consider bringing examples of how you've used these skills to optimise supplier relationships and enhance performance in previous roles.

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Services)

Category Strategy Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Sourcing & Contract Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Cost & Value Optimization
Governance & Compliance
Market Intelligence
Analytical Skills
Procurement Analytics
Cost Modelling
Benchmarking
Contract Law Knowledge
Risk Mitigation
Project Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Negotiation Skills
Experience with eProcurement Tools
Understanding of Indirect Services Procurement
Influencing Senior Decision-Makers

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement and category management, especially in indirect services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to develop category strategies and manage supplier relationships.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for sustainability and how your values align with Orbia's mission. Mention your experience with stakeholder engagement and strategic sourcing initiatives, showcasing how you can contribute to their goals.

Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your analytical skills, knowledge of contract law, and experience with eProcurement tools. Make sure to mention any experience you have with managing high-value contracts and working with C-level stakeholders.

Showcase Your Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application, such as cost savings you've driven or successful projects you've led. This will help demonstrate your capability to create value and mitigate risk in procurement.

How to prepare for a job interview at Wavin UK, an Orbia business

Understand the Company’s Purpose

Before your interview, take some time to really grasp Orbia's mission of advancing life around the world. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with their purpose and how you can contribute to their goals in building sustainable environments.

Showcase Your Procurement Expertise

Highlight your experience in strategic procurement, especially in indirect services. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've developed category strategies, managed high-value contracts, and optimised supplier relationships in previous roles.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since the role involves working closely with senior stakeholders across various departments, prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams like Finance, Legal, and HR to achieve business objectives.

Demonstrate Analytical Skills

The role requires strong analytical skills, so be prepared to discuss your proficiency in procurement analytics and cost modelling. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive decision-making and improve procurement processes in your past roles.

Category Manager - Indirect Procurement (Services)
Wavin UK, an Orbia business
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