Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing
Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing

Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing

Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Willis Towers Watson

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead procurement activities in Consulting and Outsourcing, driving value and supplier performance.
  • Company: WTW, a global leader in procurement with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: 25 days annual leave, private healthcare, pension scheme, and hybrid working options.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Proven procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and strategic thinking required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

WTW Procurement is expanding the Sourcing team to support Consulting and Outsourcing spend and is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead and execute procurement activities. This role is responsible for driving value delivery, ensuring supplier performance, and supporting operational excellence across Outsourcing Category. You will work in close partnership with Material Outsourcing and Consulting Lead and collaborate with business stakeholders and Procurement colleagues in the UK, US, France and Mumbai. You will be a trusted advisor to partner on procurement related matters for the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Developing strategies for your Category, understanding the latest market trends and insights.
  • Managing supplier relationships, identifying and mitigating risks, and ensuring full compliance with WTW policies and relevant regulatory requirements.
  • Partnering with business leaders to understand future demand, upcoming initiatives, and project pipelines.
  • Facilitating cross‑functional alignment to ensure sourcing strategies reflect business needs.
  • Translating business requirements into clear sourcing plans and category opportunities.
  • Leading RFPs, RFIs and negotiations.
  • Conducting internal and external benchmarking to identify value opportunities and commercial gaps.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with key suppliers to ensure delivery, innovation, and performance.
  • Leading Supplier Performance Management activities, including QBRs, scorecards, corrective actions, and risk mitigation (as required).
  • Driving supplier consolidation, rationalisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Working closely with Legal, Finance and Compliance on contract drafting, renewals, and commercial risk mitigation.
  • Negotiating and managing contracts in accordance with WTW Procurement policy and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensuring all procurement activities comply with ESG, risk management, and governance standards.
  • Acting as the trusted advisors and procurement partner, providing commercial insights and strategic guidance.
  • Building strong cross‑functional relationships with Operations, Finance, HR, IT, and Legal teams.
  • Presenting sourcing plans, savings updates, and supplier performance insights to senior management.
  • Representing Procurement in regional governance forums or audits.
  • Owning savings pipeline management for your Category.
  • Delivering measurable savings, cost avoidance, and value improvements.

Qualifications

Essential:

  • Strong years of procurement experience, ideally within Financial and Insurance sectors within a multinational environment.
  • Outsourcing and Professional Service category management experience.
  • Good knowledge and proven application of sourcing and procurement principles and best practices.
  • Ability to build reporting and pipeline management.
  • Strong knowledge of commercial law and procurement regulations.
  • Proven negotiation and contract management skills.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Strategic and analytical mindset with strong financial and commercial understanding.

Preferred:

  • Knowledge of procurement systems (Ariba, Oracle, Power BI, MS Office etc.).
  • Professional certification (CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent).
  • Experience working in a matrix organisation.
  • Creativity to seek, encourage and find non-traditional approaches to procurement challenges.
  • Change management and self‑awareness skills to adopt targeted approaches to a dynamic set of stakeholders.
  • Strong cost management and value improvement orientation.
  • Familiarity with relevant legislative, regulatory requirements, and industry standards as well as understanding of standard contractual terms and conditions to mitigate legal risk and ensure compliance.

Personal Attributes:

  • Proactive and solutions‑oriented.
  • Positive mindset.
  • Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
  • High ethical standards and integrity.
  • Collaborative and team‑focused mindset.

What we offer:

Enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive, both professionally and personally. You'll receive 25 days of annual leave plus an extra WTW day to relax and recharge. Our comprehensive health and wellbeing offering includes private healthcare, life insurance, group income protection, and regular health assessments, all giving you peace of mind. Secure your future with our defined contribution pension scheme, featuring matched contributions up to 10% from the company. We support your growth and balance with hybrid working options, access to an employee assistance programme, and a fully paid volunteer day to make a difference in your community. On top of these, you can opt into a variety of additional perks including an electric vehicle car scheme, share scheme, cycle‑to‑work programme, dental and optical cover, critical illness protection, and much more. Start making the most of your career and wellbeing with a range of benefits tailored for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@wtwco.com.

Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing employer: Willis Towers Watson

WTW is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous annual leave, private healthcare, and a defined contribution pension scheme with matched contributions. The collaborative work culture fosters strong relationships across teams and encourages innovative thinking, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in procurement while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working options.
Willis Towers Watson

Contact Detail:

Willis Towers Watson Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement field, especially those who work at WTW or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in consulting and outsourcing. Show us you know your stuff by discussing how these trends could impact procurement strategies at WTW.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves leading RFPs and negotiations, we suggest role-playing scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your approach.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the WTW team.

We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing

Category Management
Procurement Experience
Supplier Relationship Management
Negotiation Skills
Stakeholder Management
Strategic Thinking
Commercial Acumen
Spend Analysis
Contract Management
Risk Mitigation
Sourcing Principles
Compliance Knowledge
Financial Understanding
Proficiency in Ariba Sourcing
Change Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in procurement, especially in consulting and outsourcing. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements!

Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your strategic thinking and negotiation skills in your application. We’re looking for someone who can drive value delivery and manage supplier relationships effectively, so make sure to include relevant examples from your past experiences.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.

How to prepare for a job interview at Willis Towers Watson

✨Know Your Category Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the Consulting and Outsourcing category. Understand the latest market trends, key players, and challenges. This will not only show your expertise but also help you engage in meaningful discussions with the interviewers.

✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Prepare specific examples of past negotiations you've led. Highlight your strategies, outcomes, and how you managed stakeholder expectations. This will demonstrate your strong commercial acumen and ability to drive value delivery.

✨Build Relationships Virtually

Since this role involves collaboration across multiple regions, practice discussing how you’ve built and maintained relationships with suppliers and stakeholders remotely. Share any tools or techniques you’ve used to ensure effective communication and performance management.

✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions

Brush up on procurement regulations and compliance standards relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in previous roles, especially regarding contract management and risk mitigation. This will show your understanding of the importance of governance in procurement.

Procurement Category Lead - Consulting and Outsourcing
Willis Towers Watson

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