Category Manager

Job title:

Category Manager

Company

Bailie Group

Job description

About the roleThe Category Manager role forms part of the procurement function within CDS – Strategic Sourcing. The role involves category planning, supplier onboarding and supplier relationship management for assigned category area(s), as determined by the Head of Sourcing and the Operations directorate.A Category Manager at CDS is a critical senior role that exists to help deliver measurable operational efficiency and financial performance in an environment of constant change and challenging economic climate.For CDS this will typically consist of Outbound Communications, Transactional Print, Print Management and/or supporting Creative Services but may expand to include Digital over time along with other aspects of the developing CDS portfolio. The Category Manager is expected driving savings and business value through sourcing projects and initiatives and acting as a change ambassador within the organisation.The Category Manager has significant commercial experience in a similar role and will therefore be able to appraise and improve the agency’s sourcing activities by analysing spend, supply chain partnerships and future planned growth in line with sourcing best practice. The Category Manager should also be able to demonstrate a proficient level of experience in working within/servicing the Communications sector and CDS core operating pillars.This Category Manager role will be measured against the following key areas:

• Existence of up to date, signed off/approved and category strategy/plans (including sourcing strategies) for the category(ies) in scope.
• Meeting agreed objectives for relevant category(ies)
• Increased customer satisfaction with stakeholders outside Strategic Sourcing
• Acquiring, maintaining, and developing an intimate category expertise, knowledge base and information platform
• Compliance with CDS defined policies and procedures for risk management, regulatory and legal requirements as well as corporate governance.
• Championing innovation in both product and process, instilling a culture of continuous improvement within the categories and their suppliers.

About CDSCDS is an agency that enables strategic change in organisations. We help clients create, develop and deliver better services to meet the evolving needs of customers, employees and citizens.Our experts specialise in technical enablement, operational transformation, experience transformation and business process outsourcing. We improve outcomes by resolving complex insight, digital, data, technology and print challenges.Consequently, many of the largest, most complex organisations trust CDS to provide solutions that improve health, wealth and safety in the UK. For example:

• Digitally transforming the ability to report crime online for UK police forces.
• Building a new digital platform for the regulator Social Work England.
• Providing behavioural analysis and insight to drive EE’s evolving digital and customer service offering and delivering marketing and operational print management services to the Ministry of Defence

Our clients include National Rail Enquiries, the Cabinet Office, Bank of England, Open University and Insight Investments. We also work with global brands, including Coca Cola, McDonald’s and Microsoft.Together with our parent company, Bailie Group, CDS is positioned as a leader in enabling change. We are a multi-award-winning agency recognised by the industries we serve and our peers for our innovations and contributions that truly make a positive difference.ResponsibilitiesWe are looking for someone who can…

• Proactively manage and be accountable for all activity of third-party suppliers within the allocated category(ies). This will include responsibility for securing the efficiencies and financial targets in allocated categories within agreed timeframes.
• Manage and execute Procurement Projects related to the relevant category(ies) of spend and being responsible for advising, making and influencing strategic / commercial decisions of significance to the benefit of CDS financial performance and customer experience aligned to our overall business strategy.
• Act as a procurement expert and business advisor to CDS in respect to your allocated category(ies).
• Communicate with and manage relationships with external suppliers and strategic partners at the relevant seniority levels (typically at Director or Senior Management level), during both onboarding and service delivery / BAU phases.
• Be responsible for setting up and maintaining accurate and up to date supplier compliance detail with the OneTrust supplier, requesting further detail from suppliers as and when required for all categories within the scope of the role.
• Develop (with the Head of Strategic Sourcing) annual strategic targets related to relevant category(ies) to align with departmental goals.
• Forecast, plan (including the preparation of any business cases) and report on complex procurement project support, including any information required from external partner or market sources.
• Provide guidance, direction and strategic advice relating to strategic bids relating to your allocated category(ies)
• Proactively engage with the wider agency and/or service functions to plan and support procurement activity, supplier relationship, and contract management.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Procurement / Category Manager an advantage – commercial experience in relevant industry vital
• Familiarity with sourcing, vendor management and relevant technologies, software and best practices.
• Understanding of market dynamics and sound business judgement
• Strong project management and leadership skills
• Comfortable with collating, analysing and interpreting data.
• A strong, honest communicator who possesses excellent verbal, listening and written skills to maintain strong internal and external relationships.
• A strong organiser and effective with time management, skill sets and resources.
• Excellent with Microsoft – Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experienced in working with high profile clients.

It would also be beneficial, but not essential to be/have…

• A proficient level of experience in working within/servicing the Communications sector – Digital, Print, Creative and/or Marketing Services.

Hybrid & HomeworkingTo ensure the health, safety & wellbeing of our employees we have minimum standards for homeworking environments which must be maintained. Further details available on request.VettingDue to the nature of this role and the business, you will need to either currently hold UK Government clearance to a minimum of SC level or be able to undergo and maintain this level of clearance.In return

• Attractive base salary
• 25 days holiday + public holidays
• Company pension and life assurance scheme
• Medicash health plan – online GP access, support services & discounted gym membership
• Complimentary fruit, coffee, tea, and Friday drinks at the office
• Wellbeing events/services in Leeds office
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season pass loan for rail & bus travel
• A business focused on professional development and personal growth opportunities
• Smart, engaged co-workers and a culture of inclusion, innovation, and opportunity

Our inclusive cultureCDS positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We foster an inclusive culture that enables everyone to achieve their full potential and enjoy a fulfilling career with us.

Expected salary

Location

Leeds

Job date

Sat, 13 Apr 2024 07:03:05 GMT

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