Category Manager

Overview

We are recruiting a Category Manager to join a centralised procurement function within a global professional services organisation. This role will support the ongoing development and implementation of procurement processes, governance, and supplier management across a diverse portfolio of categories.

Working closely with the Head of Procurement, the Category Manager will take ownership of supplier and commercial activity across areas such as Professional Services, Marketing, Travel, and Facilities Management
, ensuring all engagements meet procurement standards, governance requirements, and wider business objectives.

This role offers exposure to both business-as-usual procurement activity and project-based work
, with responsibility across locally and globally consumed services.

• Ensure procurement processes, governance, and due diligence requirements are consistently applied.
• Support business teams and project stakeholders through supplier engagement and onboarding.
• Work closely with Risk, Legal, Information Security, and Finance teams to ensure robust third-party checks are completed.
• Oversee NDA execution prior to supplier engagement.

• Manage a portfolio of suppliers across multiple categories.
• Monitor contract renewal dates and support renegotiations, renewals, and RFP activity.
• Review contracts, proposals, and Statements of Work to ensure commercial alignment and value.
• Support benchmarking, negotiation, and where appropriate, co-terming of supplier agreements.
• Maintain accurate supplier records, contract documentation, and relationship history.
• Conduct regular supplier check-ins alongside relationship owners.

• Contribute to new and in-flight RFI and RFP processes.
• Support the evaluation and selection of suppliers aligned with business and procurement strategy.

• Proven experience in a procurement or centralised sourcing role
  , covering at least one of the following categories:
  • Professional Services
  • Marketing
  • Travel
  • Facilities Management
• Experience working within a multinational or multi-jurisdictional organisation
  .
• Strong experience negotiating complex commercial contracts.

• Solid understanding of procurement governance and supplier management.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness, with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident reviewing supplier pricing, proposals, and contractual terms.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and standard accounting practices.
• Experience with software licensing and cloud-based services is advantageous but not essential.

• Degree in Business, Accounting, Computer Science, or a related discipline - or equivalent procurement experience.

• Confident and decisive, with the ability to make sound commercial recommendations.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Highly organised, methodical, and detail-oriented.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Collaborative, with experience working in geographically dispersed teams.
• Focused on maximising value
  , not just cost, in supplier agreements.

This is an excellent opportunity to broaden category exposure, work closely with senior stakeholders, and contribute to the continued maturity of procurement within a global professional services environment.