Category Manager

Overview

Our customer manages over $3bn of global spend across various supply chains. They deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. They are a global community of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers and dreamers. They also bring together the best and brightest people to deliver technology and solutions that help our customers accomplish their most critical missions and objectives. There has recently been a shift in their Supply Chain function and the focus is upon working to bring the GS International Supply Chain capabilities (covering EMEA and APAC regions) together to create a more cohesive and focused function; delivering more effectively and efficiently to clients. As a result, they are looking for a Category Manager to join their team.The category groupings cover Human Resources (HR), Corporate Services, Property & FM Services, Professional Services, and Information Technology (IT). Additional categories may be introduced in line with business needs.

This role sits within GS International BU and will support supply chain activity related to Corporate Services, Logistics and pursuits within strategic markets of Defence, Nuclear (Civil and Defence) including Government (Middle East and UK.)

Specific job skills

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing supply chain support to bids to help improve the probability to win (PWIN) rate through leveraging the optimum supply chain strategy,. They will be responsible for introducing market innovations and partnering with “best-in-class” suppliers to drive a competitive advantage in bids. This role will allow exposure to all category management related activity (category strategy, strategic sourcing, tender, contract award etc) as required to support new bid activity.) The candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Implementing a category strategy for assigned categories including analysing spend, engaging with the market and undertaking strategic sourcing activity with recommendations to formally contract with key supply chain partners.
• Work with key stakeholders (operations, engineering, technical, legal, commercial etc), plus business/ functional organisations to achieve goals and influence requirements ready for market.
• Developing a deep understanding of the market within the assigned categories, e.g., key players, products/services, size, cost drivers/levers, main risks, geopolitical landscape, export control, emerging tech, sourcing and acquisition routes etc.
• Undertake engagement with the market to communicate requirements, complete targeted engagement with SME’s as appropriate to inform the market of upcoming opportunities. Undertake soft market testing and engagement with the supply chain to establish a best-in-class supply chain within your assigned category.
• Lead in commercial activity and develop ITT packs, templates, forms of contract, commercial models, incentive models, performance management mechanisms etc to drive the best outcome for strategic sourcing activity.
• Drafting, negotiating and executing contracts using standard terms and conditions. 
• Develop and negotiate framework agreements and contracts as necessary for your assigned category. 
• Undertake full end to end strategic sourcing activity under fair and transparent competitive procurement practices within your assigned category.
• Award contracts and support full handover to the contract management team / in-house systems.
• Produce periodic (daily/weekly/monthly) reports as required by the Head of Category Management or VP Supply Chain & Procurement.

The candidate will be expected to have experience in:

• Market expertise/awareness in Nuclear, Defence, UK Government, Middle East etc.
• Category expertise in Engineering, Construction, Technology, Property, FM, IT, Digital, Professional Services, Corporate Services, HR Services, etc.
• Ability to draft and deliver compelling supply chain bid writing responses
• Comfortable supporting Teaming and Partnering arrangements within bids
• Engage with the market leading on Bidder Days, targeted SME engagements to bring innovation to bids.
• Cost out of bids and value add focus
• Using global buying power to bring VfM into bids.

Essential skills and experience

• Ability to demonstrate previous experience within any of the following spend categories Corporate Services and Logistics.
• Experience of category management including evidence of category strategy formulation and executing category strategy including leading sourcing projects.
• Proven ability to follow a defined strategic sourcing and procurement process and report progress.
• Proven ability to write a strategic procurement and sourcing plans plus report progress.
• Proven ability to research the market and sourcing of potential suppliers leading to the end-to-end strategic sourcing process.
• Ability to perform market analysis including commercial and financial viability of suppliers plus assessment of their performance including resource capabilities.
• Proven skills at eliciting requirements/scope of work and business process mapping.
• Able to draft commercial documents, ITT document/templates and tender packs to support strategic sourcing activity.
• Strong understanding of contractual/legal terms and conditions.
• Ability to maintain on-going relationships with suppliers including performance management of said suppliers.

Desired skills and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Material Management, Law or in an equivalent and relevant discipline.
• Previous experience in supply chain role such as Category Management or Procurement.
• Bid support.

Security Clearence

No security clearance required

Aurora framework

Please note: We cannot accept any applications from candidates currently working on the Aurora framework unless the contract is due to finish within the next month.