About Our Client
This role is within a prominent organisation which is growing its offering. As a large organisation, they are focused on delivering excellence in their services and maintaining strong supplier relationships.
Job Description
* Senior Category Manager - Indirects (Non‑IT)
* Woking - Hybrid with travel
As a Senior Category Manager - Indirects (Non‑IT) you will lead strategic sourcing and category management across a diverse indirect spend portfolio valued at approximately £80m. Categories in scope include professional services, facilities management, marketing services, travel, HR services, and GNFR. This is a high‑impact role within a multi‑site organisation, responsible for delivering cost efficiencies, improving supplier performance, and supporting operational excellence through strong category strategies and stakeholder engagement.
* Develop and execute category strategies that deliver cost savings, service improvements, and risk mitigation.
* Lead full lifecycle sourcing activities including market analysis, RFI/RFP, evaluation, negotiation, and award.
* Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across operations, finance, legal, HR, and senior leadership.
* Align procurement activity with business needs and long‑term strategic priorities.
* Manage supplier relationships, KPIs, and performance frameworks.
* Negotiate and oversee contracts to secure favourable commercial and risk‑managed outcomes.
* Monitor category spend and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
* Ensure full compliance with procurement governance and regulatory requirements.
* Identify and address category‑specific risks across the supply chain.
* Drive process improvements and contribute to digital procurement initiatives.
* Stay informed on market trends and emerging risks to shape sourcing strategies.
The Successful Applicant
A successful Senior Procurement Manager;
* A proven track record as a Senior Procurements/ Senior Category Leader across multiple categories
* Strong strategic sourcing and category management experience across indirect spend (professional services, facilities, marketing, HR, travel, etc.)
* Proven commercial acumen with a track record of savings delivery and supplier performance improvement
* Experience negotiating complex service‑based contracts
* Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across multiple functions
* Proficiency with procurement processes, e‑sourcing tools, analytics, and contract management systems
* Knowledge of procurement risk management and compliance
* Experience within a matrixed or multi‑site organisation; regulated environment experience is an advantage
* Project management capability from strategy to implementation
* Degree‑educated or equivalent experience
* MCIPS qualified (or working towards) preferred
* Based in Woking - office attendance 3‑4 days per week with travel
What's on Offer
* Opportunity to influence a major spend category with high visibility
* Broad, varied remit with meaningful business impact
* Chance to shape and evolve category strategy in a complex, changing organisation
* Exposure to senior stakeholders and cross‑functional collaboration
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