Assistant Category Manager in City of London, London

Assistant Category Manager
5 Month Contract
Hybrid working - 2 days on site (But can be flexible)
£425pd INSIDE IR35

My client are looking for an Assistant Category Manager to support the Global Category Manager in a specific sub-category area. You will work on a global basis, lead strategy and planning for a Procurement sub-category to deliver competitive advantage for the business through cost savings, lifecycle value generation, demand management and innovation. Within this role you will be required to identify new outsourcing opportunities and assess their relevance and potential value to the organization in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Global Category Manager.

The role will also Include -
*Covering all commodities within their respective sub-category. With specific category knowledge, this will be achieved through the creation and continual review of robust and forward-
looking category plans that use the full range of supply and demand-side levers.
* The role will develop influential senior level relationships (generally at a level below those held by the Global Category Manager) with designated businesses and functions on behalf of all of the
Procurement sub- functions including ownership of both Buying Channel and PSL compliance.
* Key to success are advanced skills in analysis/synthesis in the application of a range of commercial models, with a focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Key Accountabilities Impact on Business
* The Category Manager will sit on relevant stakeholder committees and positively influence appropriate forums of the businesses/ functions.
The Category Manager will also be responsible for the following:
* Supporting the creation of sub-category strategies and plans to achieve or exceed agreed savings targets for the category.
* Driving business outcomes and behaviours with subject matter expertise to drive value through the category planning lifecycle.
* Constantly monitoring supplier market and identify opportunities resulting from new product offerings and/or market shifts (e.g. entry or exit of suppliers, changes in pricing, risk on category).
* Seeking alternatives to current category specifications/ demand parameters.
* Continually monitoring buying channel compliance for the business/ function with whom they own the Procurement relationship and driving corrective action as necessary.

Customers / Stakeholders
* With the relevant Global Category Manager and businesses, develop and continually review robust, forward-looking category plans based on business and product needs, supply market dynamics, and technological changes in marketplace.
* Influence the businesses and drive the application of a variety of commercial models to drive the most appropriate business outcomes.
* Ensure alignment with all key stakeholders within Procurement and the businesses/ functions on category decisions.
* Support the GCM in influencing policy thinking, provide timely responses to audit reports and report category costs as appropriate.
* With the support of Operations, implement or maintain an appropriate buying channel strategy within the category and, with the support of country Heads of Procurement, manage compliance to contracts. Drive enhancements to the channels to support this.
* Support Supplier Management in the classification of new suppliers to determine the most appropriate SRM treatment.
* Work with Heads of Procurement, their teams and Procurement Operations (Resource Management) to manage dynamic resourcing within the category to deliver sourcing projects.

Leadership & Teamwork
* Be a role model and demonstrate a positive attitude and inspire confidence when faced with uncertainty and change.
* Provide clear direction and constructive challenge to business stakeholders in the creation and execution of Category and Commodity plans.
* Bring drive, energy and pace to category activity.
* Display excellent influencing skills.
* Demonstrate importance of subject matter expertise through example.
* Market and communicate category guidelines into the business.
* Act as an agent of change for the Procurement Transformation and beyond into future change initiatives.
* Role model in the adoption and leverage of agile ways of working

Operational Effectiveness & Control
* Lead/ support as necessary the creation and maintenance of a pipeline of projects to achieve or exceed agreed savings target for category.
* Understand complex business problems, apply advanced analytical thinking / market knowledge and drive the most appropriate business outcome.
* Communicate category concepts in a way that is relevant to the business
* Ensure category and project data (savings, pipeline, milestones, risks, issues, taxonomy) is accurate and reflective of reality
* Ensure quality of content and compliance with relevant sourcing and category planning governance forums (challenge boards, category planning boards, fortnightly status meetings)
* Monitor the status of the category, and drive corrective action to ensure savings targets are achieved or exceeded
* Work with the Category Director, GCM, Heads of Procurement, country teams and Procurement Operations (Resource Management) team to prioritise and schedule all strategic sourcing initiatives for the year, in alignment with business milestones
* Drive embedding of best practices and compliance to all Source to Pay processes through personal performance Thought leadership in the development and enhancement of Source to Pay processes

Major Challenges
* Develop a reputation for delivery that quickly earns credibility in the business community, but also has clear strategic direction.
* Develop the category, but balance with not undermining businesses' operational accountability for supplier relationships.
* Develop and maintain a global stakeholder network in a complex and dynamic business environment.
* Understand the internal dynamics of supply base and how this impacts interaction with the business particularly where suppliers are also customers.

Knowledge & Experience / Qualifications (For the role - not the role holder)
* Strong experience of IT procurement roles and specific experience in the IT Services category specifically.
* Depth of experience in IT consulting, systems integration services managed services and resourcing Category Management.
* Experience in leading negotiations and managing large value procurement
* Having worked within complex, multi layered organisations and worked to the pace and drive required.
* Has degree or CIPS related qualifications.
* We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating a diverse environment.

Disclaimer:

This vacancy is being advertised by either Advanced Resource Managers Limited, Advanced Resource Managers IT Limited or Advanced Resource Managers Engineering Limited ("ARM"). ARM is a specialist talent acquisition and management consultancy. We provide technical contingency recruitment and a portfolio of more complex resource solutions. Our specialist recruitment divisions cover the entire technical arena, including some of the most economically and strategically important industries in the UK and the world today. We will never send your CV without your permission.