Regional Indirect Category Lead

Job Purpose

We are currently looking for a Regional Indirect Category Lead to join our team in either our Dunfermline, Aberdeen or Newcastle office. 

The Regional Category Lead is responsible for developing and managing the strategies for their assigned categories & subcategories. Through impactful cost management, innovative business solutions, and improved process efficiency, this role will enable the business to achieve outstanding operational and financial results. This role will be responsible for collaborating both regionally and globally to develop and implement subcategory strategies and requires strong project management skills and the ability to collaborate with and influence others to effectively drive change in the company. Category Leads are also responsible for contract negotiations and management, supplier relationship management, stakeholder engagement, management of category procurement activities, and building leverage with strategic suppliers.

Job Description

• Strategy Development: develops and implements sourcing strategies for specific subcategories and ensure they align globally. This includes identifying cost-saving opportunities, improving efficiency, and managing risks as well as designing and executing large scale tenders to maximize spend leverage at the appropriate level (regionally)
• Supplier Relationship Management: owns the supplier relationship and be responsible for the governance and action plans required to effectively manage those relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure suppliers meet their contractual obligations. This role will also identify and assess potential new suppliers.
• Market Analysis: conduct market research to understand trends, identify potential new suppliers, and assess risks and opportunities in the supply market.
• Cost Management: work to reduce costs and improve efficiencies. This will involve negotiating better prices, finding more efficient suppliers, or implementing new programs or processes to reduce or eliminate operational waste.
• Stakeholder management: partner with stakeholders to integrate sourcing and procurement earlier into the source to pay process and align category strategies with business needs to ensure category strategy compliance. Ensure alignment and support to Global Category Managers.
• Training and development: act as a mentor, coach and leader within the team
• A member of the “help chain”: handles and resolves conflicts which may arise with stakeholders and suppliers to maintain the strategy, stakeholder and supplier relationships while preventing business disruptions.
• Champion safety, quality, delivery and cost with suppliers to ensure requirements are met consistently

You are meant for this job if

• Strong experience required in sourcing and procurement.
• CIPS or MCIPS qualified or currently working towards.
• Self-directed, able to prioritize/manage a high level of issues and tasks, and work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to analyze data and market trends to make informed decisions about suppliers and products/services.
• Very strong interpersonal skills. The ability to quickly build credibility with stakeholders, influence change, and to “open doors” are essential for success.
• Supplier contracting experience. Knowledge of key sections, common red line areas and reasonable fallback positions.
• Basic understanding of the financial cost structure associated with a supply chain.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Have a lean mindset with the ability to review and transform processes using lean problem-solving methodology to eliminate waste and improve the way we work.

What we can offer

• My Wealth and Protection – Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Life Assurance, Will Writing, Workplace ISA, Group Personal Pension Plan - employer contributions up to 10%.
• My Health and Wellbeing - Private Medical Insurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Dental Insurance, Health Assessments & Personal Accident Insurance.
• My Lifestyle - Electric Vehicle Scheme, Cyle2Work, Employee Tech Scheme, Give as You Earn, GymFlex, Holiday Trading, Personal Travel Insurance, Perks at Work.
• My Workplace - Subsidised Canteen and Costa Coffee, Onsite Gym, Family Fun Days, Hybrid Working, Flexible Working Arrangements, Enhanced Maternity and Parental leave, Talent/Management and Leadership programmes, Various inhouse training opportunities for your personal development.  
• My Giving - Volunteering Day, Various Social and Health & Wellbeing groups.