Category Management Lead

We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

We offer a competitive salary, contributory pension from day one (Starting at 3% employee contribution with 5% company match), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, 26 days annual leave with the option to purchase additional days leave. A wide range of discounts and cash back with high street and online retailers. We offer an inclusive work environment with an in-house training academy which offers ongoing opportunities to develop your skills.

We have recently appointed a new Group Head of Procurement who has an exciting business plan in place. Due to this we are looking for three  Category Management Leads within the following categories, infrastructure, corporate services and professional services. based in the UK, willing to travel 25%.

Are you passionate about cost effective and efficient sourcing and procurement of materials and services? Do you thrive on delivering excellent commercial value to businesses? Are you able to lead a team as well as continue to improve business requirements? Do you want to make a difference and delivery significant value to the business? If so, we would love to hear from you.

Accountabilities:

• Identify, secure and lead people from a range of disciplines to enable effective delivery of the defined Categories, creating a working environment which supports continuous improvement and constructive challenge to the way that operational procurement is delivered.
• Lead, negotiate, manage, coach, and develop the team in line with the budget and continuous improvement requirements.
• Identify opportunities to increase compliance of regional and functional teams using Group contracts.
• Ensure defined and agreed work plans are effectively implemented.
• Promote an environment of collaboration within team as well as within ABP to encourage exchange of new ideas and best practices.
• Encourage knowledge sharing across category/product areas within the Category Management division and across the other work streams in the directorate/division.
• Provide direction and clarity in the accountabilities of team resources, as well as for cross-work stream collaboration in consultation with other work stream leads, to ensure seamless working across ABP.
• Develop and implement the contract management process to realise maximum benefit from the category activity with reviews of business usage and contract compliance, and provide insight through the analysis of spend, contract metrics, supply markets and savings.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on leading procurement practice to internal business partners.
• Lead the business in identification, assessment and management of potential risks associate with differing sourcing and contract management strategies for assigned categories of spend.

Essential:

Must have an MCIPS or Equivalent, recent public sector experience in preferably a large, and complex environment. Ability to work at a senior level. Highly commercial, analytical, and innovative in their thinking. Excellent communication skills, in particular inspirational presentation skills. Experience presenting to the Board. Ability to build great relationships both internally and externally, finding collaborative simple solutions and being recognised as a trusted expert that unlocks opportunities. Experience of leading a team that has delivered successful business outcomes. Demonstrable understanding of contracts and contract law. Outcome focused, results driven and able to prioritise quickly in a fast moving, entrepreneurial environment. Experience of strategic supply base management including supplier selection, negotiations, and supplier relationship/performance management. Experience of overseeing a category portfolio of up to £500M. Experience of delivering Category strategy to implementation. Proven commercial acumen by being able to evaluate how category strategy will impact profitability.

Additional Information:

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.