Summary: You will play an essential part in the Procurement team as we embark on a key change in our Procurement journey. Historically the team has operated with a transactional focus although recently has shifted focus and delivered some tactical improvements with supplier consolidations, a defined tiered Preferred Supplier List and delivery of cost savings.

In order to move the function to the next level we need to move away from a process heavy focus to deliver strategic category management across the £100m+ spend we have on external training as well as indirect costs associated with running the business.

As a Senior Category Manager for QA, you should be a commercial expert comfortable across multiple categories, with experience in leading sourcing, negotiating, and contracting exercises.

You should be experienced at managing a large portfolio of spend across multiple suppliers, have the commercial acumen to identify opportunities and optimise them with the ability to negotiate robust pricing and terms that benefit QA and our customers, managing risks and identifying opportunities for margin enhancement and efficiencies in what we do.

You will be expected to both initiate and contribute to strategic initiatives that drive greater compliance and allow for greater self-serve and quicker, slicker processes within our procurement offering. You will also drive and support projects to improve Procurement awareness within the wider QA business. 

Alongside the other Senior Category Manager(s), you will be expected to support the Head of Procurement, including potential future management of direct reports, increasing the scope of procurement activity within QA. Offering industry expertise to other senior stakeholders within the business, acting as the voice of procurement internally and drive the Procurement strategy within the organisation. You will also be a point of escalation for members of the procurement function and be expected to use your experience to resolve supplier issues as they occur.

Role Responsibilities:

• Manages supplier relationships across multiple category areas with particular focus on indirects

• Negotiates contracts and pricing agreements with suppliers, SLAs and trading terms

• Implements and manages contracts

• Identifies, reviews and manages supplier risks

• Provides strategic support and advice to customers/sales and other internal stakeholders

• Drives efficiencies, savings and cost avoidance with suppliers

• Provides analysis for reporting (supplier, customer & internal)

• Supports management of junior colleagues

• Drives continuous operational improvements and savings

• Point of contact with Sales to drive margin enhancement, revenue and support bid   activity

• Provides internal data, market insights and attends trade shows

• Develop evolving Procurement strategies and policies

• Supports internal procurement processes and ways of working

• Track and report on Team SLAs, outcomes, and financial progression

• Responsible for supply chain compliance with regulations, audits and customers contracts

• Contribute to any necessary presentations and reports

• Approve POs within delegated authority limits as agreed by QA

• Owner of Procurement systems, data owner

• • Leads on customer initiatives and projects to support rationalisation activities that drive greater benefits for QA and Customer