Senior Procurement Category Manager - Contractor & Professional Services

St. James’s Place

  • Cirencester, Gloucestershire
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 5 days ago
Are you ready to chart your own career path? At SJP we need talented individuals like yourself to support our evolving culture. If you're seeking an employer that is passionate about excellence, innovation and autonomy, SJP could be the place for you.At a glance:Location: Cirencester OfficeWorkplace Type: HybridEmployment Type: PermanentSeniority: Mid-Senior LevelThe role:This person will be responsible for developing, leading and managing the procurement strategies for Contractor & Professional Services within SJP. The Contactor & Professional Services category incorporates the following spend categories: Business Process Outsourcing, Contingent Labour, Professional Services and Fees (Legal, Audit, Insurance) and Consultancy. They will drive vendor optimisation, identify and deliver cost reduction and maximise value through leading the sourcing and negotiations for Contractor & Professional Services across SJP. They will work closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers and senior management to drive efficiencies and align Contractor & Professional Services' strategy with SJP's objectives.What you'll be doing:
  • Contractor & Professional Services Category Strategy Development Lead the development, implementation, and execution of SJP's category strategy for Contractor & Professional Services in line with SJP's objectives and risk appetite. In partnership with business stakeholders develop and maintain Contractor & Professional Services' plans with defined supplier segmentation.
  • Cost Optimisation & Savings Use market knowledge and experience to identify and deliver opportunities for cost savings and increased ROI. Develop and implement cost-control strategies across Contractor & Professional Services. Use of benchmarking to regularly test price competitiveness.
  • Team Development and Mentoring Support the development of Procurement team members, building a strong talent pool for succession planning.
  • Stakeholder Engagement Collaborate across SJP directorates to identify procurement needs and provide strategic sourcing solutions.
  • Sourcing & Negotiation Lead sourcing processes, including RFPs (and use of e-sourcing tools), development and execution of negotiation strategies and selection of suppliers. Drive competitive pricing and contract terms. Develop and maintain an accurate Deal Calendar on upcoming renewal to maximise cost reduction opportunities and ensure appropriate resource prioritisation.
  • Risk Management Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and mitigate potential risks through proper supplier onboarding and contract management.
  • Reporting & Analytics Feed into KPI reporting to monitor the effectiveness of procurement activities. Regularly report on procurement savings, negotiations and strategy outcomes to the Head of Procurement. Contribute to development of procurement / commercial datasets and tooling.
Who we're looking for:The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in procurement and in-depth experience/knowledge specific to category management and Contractor & Professional Services. They will have a deep understanding of Contractor & Professional Services, its utilisation at SJP, and market trends, emerging technologies and industry best practices. They will be able to demonstrate how to create category strategies in partnership with business stakeholders. They will provide insights and recommendations to senior management and be proficient in RFP/RFI approaches, supplier evaluation, cost optimisation and negotiation techniques. They will drive the implementation of the supplier strategy for Contractor & Professional Services at SJP whilst collaborating with other Procurement Managers. They will effectively manage one individual and partner with other procurement leads to develop cross-functional solutions to problems. They will demonstrate strong communication skills to build relationships and influence stakeholders across the business.Essential Criteria
  • Extensive experience in procurement and in-depth knowledge/experience specific to Contractor & Professional Services.
  • Be able to demonstrate how to develop and manage category strategies.
  • Proven experience in negotiating and managing contracts.
  • CIPS qualification (or working towards).
  • Strong communication and negotiation skills.
  • Able to lead, develop and delegate to direct report.
Desirable Criteria
  • Good understanding/knowledge of SJP business model.
What's in it for you?We reward you for the work you do, whether that's through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.
We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:
  • Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
  • Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
  • 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
Reasonable Adjustments
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk
Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.What's next?If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking 'apply' below and our team will be in touch.
As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.

St. James’s Place