Procurement Category Manager - BPO & Customer Contact

Job Description

Centrica are going through an exciting period of change. We’re evolving to become a truly purpose-led organisation, helping millions of customers to live more sustainably, simply, and affordably. We truly believe that we have a huge role to play in helping the nation to cut carbon emissions and prepare for a net zero future, and it’s a role we are immensely proud of.

An opportunity to play your part. As the successful candidate your role as Procurement Category Manager is to formulate and implement a category strategy for a high-value category or one of significant business importance. This involves collaborating with stakeholders to carry out procurement projects aimed at achieving the optimal commercial results for Centrica.

The day to day

• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders to establish a strategic plan for procurement activities, taking into consideration new business needs, the business strategy, emerging risks, and impending supplier contract expirations

• Leverage a profound understanding of market dynamics (utilizing tools such as Porters Five Forces and Kraljic), as well as cost drivers specific to the goods/services/technology in question, to develop the category strategy

• Work in conjunction with business stakeholders to devise go-to-market strategies

• Actively engage with and influence stakeholders to maximize the impact of the category strategy

• Take the lead in overseeing complex high-value procurement tenders in accordance with the Category Strategy

• Lead negotiations for intricate commercial agreements, skilfully managing the diverse demands of multiple stakeholders

• Assume responsibility for the drafting and negotiation of contracts, collaborating closely with Commercial Legal and specialized legal teams

• Drive Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) initiatives in accordance with the Centrica SRM framework

• Project-manage procurement initiatives, covering all aspects of risk management and the contract governance process, in partnership with business stakeholders (Group Contracts Committee, Group Investment Committee)

• Provide guidance and coaching to category specialists as necessary

• Effectively manage and enhance the supplier base within the category, including buying channels and category playbooks, to enable tactical sourcing

• Establish robust relationships and position yourself as a key business partner to the core stakeholder group

• Collaborate extensively across the Procurement Function to ensure the optimal experience for stakeholders

About You

• Bachelor's degree in procurement, business, or a relevant field, along with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in a large-scale procurement organization

• Possession of MCIPS or ISM certifications is desirable but not mandatory

• Proficiency in translating stakeholder requirements and market dynamics into a well-defined category strategy

• Strategic thinking abilities and the capacity to articulate how the category strategy aligns with business needs

• Strong knowledge of effectively navigating market dynamics

• Exceptional skills in commercial negotiation

• Capability to manage key suppliers to sustain value gained through negotiation and sourcing

• Robust stakeholder management skills, including interactions with executive committee members and leadership teams, demonstrating active listening, and influencing skills to challenge the status quo

• Proficiency in managing strategic suppliers to foster mutually beneficial initiatives

• Project management expertise

• Proficiency in influencing without direct authority

• Effective upward management skills

What's in it for you

• Competitive salary and bonus potential

• Employee Energy Allowance at 15% of the government price cap

• Pension scheme

• Company Funded Healthcare Plan

• 25 days holiday allowance, plus public holidays, and the option to buy up to 5 additional days

• Excellent range of flexible benefits, including technology vouchers, electric car lease scheme & travel insurance

At Centrica we embrace diversity and actively seek to attract individuals with unique backgrounds and perspectives. To build a more sustainable future, we need the best team – a team with a diverse mix of people and skills, where everyone feels welcome and able to succeed. We are dedicated in helping to close the diversity gap and would love to see more females, people of colour and LGBTQ+ employees, as well as those from a variety of cultures and ethnicity to veterans and the differently abled. Supporting diversity and inclusion is a big part of who we are, we are not looking for people to fit into our culture but to add to it!

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE by hitting the 'Apply' button.

Applications will ONLY be accepted via the ‘Apply’ button.

This role is being handled by the Centrica recruitment team and NO agency contact is required.