Category Manager

City, Leeds
Guidant Global

Job Title: Category Managers
Duration: 3 Months
Daily Rate: 193 per day

Shifts: Monday to Friday – 8hr/day fully Onsite

Location: Queen Street, Leeds

Overview

This position is responsible for providing strategic category management direction and leadership for all services within the Travel and Expense Category. The individual will contribute to operational improvement by developing and implementing procurement strategies that enhance process efficiencies and support cost, quality, and risk reduction initiatives. Acting as a key partner, this role supports the Travel and Expense team’s objectives by delivering solutions at commercially viable costs.

Purpose

To oversee the procurement of products and services for the business area by collaborating with Business Stakeholders and Commercial Finance to identify opportunities for delivering products and services at the best commercial value. This includes improving processes, specifications, and commercial relationships.

Responsibilities

Category Management

• Create sustainable value across all spend categories through category strategies, sourcing, and effective contracts (global, regional, and single market).
• Ensure supplier contracts align with agreed performance and quality standards, escalating non-compliance risks promptly.
• Research new suppliers, challenge incumbent suppliers for innovation, and monitor existing relationships.
• Develop and communicate category strategies and plans effectively across the business.
• Follow market trends using market research, benchmarking, supplier knowledge, and networking to gain insights.

Collaboration and Communication

• Liaise closely with Business Partners and Finance to ensure services deliver the best commercial value while improving processes and relationships.
• Work with the Business Services Procurement function to ensure commercial contracts drive value and achieve targeted improvements.

Cost and Compliance Management

• Understand overall acquisition costs and develop cost models for decision-making and performance reporting.
• Ensure Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) compliance throughout the supply chain.

Supplier and Project Management

• Drive supplier competition, development, and rationalization as needed.
• Develop supplier and supply market expertise to inform category strategies.
• Collaborate with internal customers to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Support Finance teams in managing Opex budgets.
• Lead RFI/RFP processes from creation to conclusion following relevant policies.
• Validate supplier suitability through financial stability reviews and SAP approvals.

Improvement and Innovation

• Identify supplier performance improvements and implement them in close collaboration with stakeholder groups.
• Present recommendations to the Executive Team for service improvements.
• Drive savings opportunities and operational efficiencies.

Personal Profile

Qualifications

• Degree qualified (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant category.
• Experience in Luxury Retail is desirable but not essential.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong category knowledge with the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external subject matter experts.
• Versatility, resilience, and ability to perform in a dynamic environment.
• Advanced negotiation skills with the ability to develop cross-functional procurement strategies and processes.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement concepts, processes, and techniques, including contract negotiation and relationship management.
• Experience implementing sourcing methodologies for category management.
• Strong experience in Travel Procurement, including contract negotiations.
• Proven leadership talent with the ability to motivate stakeholders.
• Well-developed stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to inspire trust and confidence.
• Ability to build and foster productive relationships.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong ability to develop strategic project and category plans.
• Ability to work under pressure, make decisions, and solve problems.
• History of successfully managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Demonstrated reliability and personal integrity.

Guidant Global (BH4SF) is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.