CATEGORY MANAGER – HR SERVICES & OTHERS (F/M)

at  Equans

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Demonstrate high levels of personal and business probity in both self and team
• Demonstrable ability to create collaborative working relationships and effective partnerships
• Ability to provide creative solutions to issues/ problems
• Proven ability to provide straightforward, clear and easy to understand information and documentation
• Ability to use own initiative as well as working effectively as part of a team
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload
• First rate communication skills both written, verbal and technical
• Strive to find most effective and efficient ways of working
• Show a proactive, flexible and resourceful approach to delivering solutions
• Proven commercial acumen, with an eye for detail and accuracy
• Familiarity with standard forms of contract
• Proven track record in successful negotiations, balancing cost restraints, customer and practical requirements
• Ability to manage and organise a team to ensure the correct level of performance and secure deliverables
• Strong analytical abilities, and the ability to analyse complex category data to drive supply chain selectivity and risk mitigation.
• Being capable of contributing to technical discussions specific to the category and supporting the development of valued engineering or alternative product selection.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advantageous - CIPS Level 5, or working towards (or equivalent)

GENERAL OVERVIEW FOR UKBU / PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Our Category Managers play a pivotal role in maximising the value of Procurement at Equans UK&I by executing a structured, collaborative approach to category projects that optimises the procurement of similar products and services. This specific role within the UK BU Central Procurement Team will focus on the Indirects & Professional Services HUB, encompassing a wide range of categories including:

• HR Services: Recruitment, Training, Travel, Meetings & Events, Employee Rewards and Benefits, etc.
• Fleet Management: Leasing, Rental, Fuel, Telematics, and associated vehicle services.
• General Goods & Services: Office supplies and services, Postal and distribution services, and other support functions.
• IT & Telecoms: Technology solutions and telecommunication services.
• Professional & Financial Services: Consultancy, Insurance, Banking Services, and related professional services.

By strategically managing these sub-categories, Category Managers drive efficiencies, enhance collaboration, and secure value-driven outcomes for the business.

This pivotal role within the Procurement Function is essential in delivering a unified, centralised support service across a diverse, autonomous, and nationally dispersed organisation. Reporting directly to the Category HUB Leader, the role is specifically accountable for:

• Strategic Management of the HR Services Category: This involves conducting comprehensive spend analyses, assessing current and future business needs, and analysing supplier markets and industry dynamics to optimise procurement strategies.
• Supplier Engagement and Relationship Management: Engage with the HR Services supply chain to identify those best positioned to fulfil Equans’ business requirements, overseeing these relationships to ensure continued alignment with quality, functionality, and cost-effectiveness standards.
• Value Chain Optimisation and Savings Generation: Proactively identify opportunities to drive value across the entire procurement spectrum, prioritising cost savings through a structured Category approach, with a focus on achieving transparent and measurable results.
• Innovation: Champion the integration of innovative solutions to enhance customer offerings within the HR Service categories.
• Stakeholder management

The successful applicant will provide category-specific expertise to the business, working closely with the HR support functions and operational teams, divisional key stakeholders and the broader Procurement team to ensure:

• Compliance with the Equans UK&I Procurement Strategy, Policies, and Processes for category-specific spending.
• Delivery of solutions that address diverse business needs within the HR Services category.
• Engagement with the parent company at Group level, affiliates and sister companies relevant stakeholders, domestically and internationally.
• Proactive input on reporting, including compliance, spend, and savings, with an eye toward continuous improvement.
• Fulfillment of local procurement needs through a structured category approach wherever feasible.
• Promotion of Category-led Framework Agreements and Contracts, ensuring all colleagues are informed of procurement protocols and pricing.
• Support for bid, mobilisation, and de-mobilisation activities as required.
• Alignment of Category strategies with Equans’ sustainability (CSR), DE&I and IT commitments.
• Continuous alignment of solutions with business needs and market developments.

The Procurement Function operates in close partnership with suppliers and both internal and external customers to foster innovation, delivering value-driven, transformational outcomes for our clients, profitability for our business, and inspiration for our people.
The post holder may need to undertake other tasks as and when needed to support the priorities of the Procurement Function. National travel is part of this role.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE:

• Direct report à No direct report
• Procurement portfolio responsible of is c£110+ million
• Work on projects/activities involving multiple BUs (Lead or support role)

5+ YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN A SIMILAR ROLE – SENIOR PROCUREMENT ROLE

• Experience of stakeholder management and influencing
• Experience in developing work winning solutions with operational and business development stakeholders to drive better technical solutions and outcomes.

The required competencies for this role are;

• Collaborating - Works well with others (Individual Contributor & Team player)
• Commercial - Adds value & deliver financial performance
• Delivering – Deliver element of added value to the business & achieve against target
• Influencing – Influence business decision making by using a robust approach in all procurement related activities/projects
• Learning - Improves job performance
• Planning - Thinks ahead
• Leading – Support direct reports and team members to achieve excellence at Procurement leve