At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy and manage supplier relationships across HR, Payroll, and Travel.
- Company: Join World Fuel, a global leader with a diverse and innovative team.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on continuous improvement and career development.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by influencing senior leaders and driving cost-saving initiatives.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in strategic procurement with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
At World Fuel, our employees are the key to our global success. We are industry leaders due to the innumerable talents of our approximately 5000 strong professional team. Our people thrive in an entrepreneurial and culturally-diverse environment, where innovative thinking, collaboration and efficient execution are highly valued. Our high-performance culture is what allows us to drive sustained growth. Stronger together, we promote an environment where individuals can thrive.
World Fuel is seeking an experienced Senior Category Manager – Indirect Procurement to lead the strategy, sourcing, and supplier management activities across key indirect spend categories, including HR, Payroll, and Travel. This is a highly visible role that sits at the intersection of commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement, supplier management, and procurement transformation. You'll partner with senior leaders across HR, Finance, Legal, Technology, and other business functions to shape category roadmaps, lead complex negotiations, drive cost optimization initiatives, and deliver long-term business value. If you enjoy influencing senior stakeholders, leading strategic sourcing programs, challenging the status quo, and shaping procurement strategy within a global organization, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a significant impact.
What You'll Do
- Lead Category Strategy: Develop and execute category strategies across HR, Payroll, Travel, and other indirect procurement categories. Align category plans with business objectives and stakeholder priorities. Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve supplier performance, reduce risk, and create long-term value. Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and supplier assessments to support strategic decision-making.
- Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation: Lead complex sourcing initiatives from strategy development through supplier selection and contract award. Develop sourcing methodologies, evaluation frameworks, and negotiation strategies. Lead commercial and contractual negotiations with global suppliers. Challenge existing commercial arrangements and identify opportunities for improved service, pricing, and contractual protections. Deliver measurable savings, value creation, and operational improvements.
- Executive Stakeholder Partnership: Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across HR, Finance, Legal, Technology, and business operations. Act as a strategic advisor on procurement decisions and supplier strategies. Present recommendations, business cases, and sourcing outcomes to senior stakeholders. Influence decision-making through data-driven commercial insights.
- Supplier & Contract Management: Oversee the full contract lifecycle, including renewals, amendments, reviews, and terminations. Establish supplier performance expectations, KPIs, and governance frameworks. Drive supplier innovation, continuous improvement, and value-generation initiatives. Manage supplier relationships to maximize business outcomes and mitigate risk.
- Procurement Transformation & Continuous Improvement: Lead procurement improvement initiatives focused on automation, process optimization, analytics, and digital transformation. Use spend analysis, benchmarking, cost modelling, and total cost of ownership methodologies to identify opportunities. Contribute to procurement policy development, governance improvements, and operating model enhancements. Support the evolution of procurement capabilities, tools, reporting, and data management.
- Team Leadership & Development: Coach, mentor, and develop procurement team members. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Support capability building across the broader procurement organization.
What You'll Bring
- Degree qualified or equivalent professional experience.
- 8+ years of strategic procurement and category management experience.
- Strong experience managing indirect procurement categories within a multinational or global organization.
- Experience leading procurement strategies across HR, Payroll, Travel, Professional Services, or related indirect spend categories.
- Demonstrated success delivering strategic sourcing initiatives and measurable cost savings.
- Strong commercial negotiation and contract management experience.
- Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional initiatives.
- Strong financial analysis, business case development, and commercial evaluation skills.
Preferred Experience
- International procurement experience.
- Experience operating within a global matrix organization.
- Knowledge of Oracle Fusion or similar ERP platforms.
- Experience supporting procurement transformation, digitization, or automation initiatives.
- Exposure to SOX controls, internal audit processes, or procurement governance programs.
What Makes You Successful
- You are someone who thinks strategically while maintaining strong execution discipline.
- Builds credibility quickly with senior stakeholders.
- Is comfortable challenging assumptions and driving constructive change.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving global environment.
- Uses data and commercial insight to influence decisions.
- Enjoys solving complex business problems and negotiating win-win outcomes.
- Balances supplier partnership with commercial rigor.
Sr Category Manager, Indirect Procurement - HR, Payroll & Travel in London employer: World Kinect
At World Kinect, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Based in Greater London, our team enjoys competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the public sector. Join us to lead transformative energy solutions while growing your career in a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr Category Manager, Indirect Procurement - HR, Payroll & Travel in London
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like World Kinect.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr Category Manager, Indirect Procurement - HR, Payroll & Travel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to World Kinect:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to World Kinect. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like World Kinect.
How to prepare for a job interview at World Kinect
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at World Kinect!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at World Kinect. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into World Kinect's culture.
