Job Overview

The Category Lead will be responsible for developing and implementing the procurement Strategy for our Professional services categories of spend, reporting into the Head of Procurement - Indirects.

Professional services categories may change from time to time and currently include Consultancy, Legal, Finance, Insurance, Training, Marketing, Benefits & Rewards

You will have ownership of category strategy development, execution, and sourcing activity, ensuring supply chain solutions are aligned to the business needs and represent lowest total cost, optimal service, highest quality with relevant impactful ESG credential and innovation.

You will Implement Mitie's supplier management programs across all key areas of spend.

You will manage, develop and mentor any direct reports with particular focus on how we enable our people to deliver exceptional value, every day

Main Duties

Sourcing, Negotiations & Contracting

• • • Lead all strategic Professional services procurement activities
    • Develop category strategies aligned to the business requirements and wider strategy
    • Lead on complex high value sourcing projects and negotiations, identifying new and more competitive sources of supply
    • Negotiate and influence suppliers to achieve best market value
    • Ability to identify cost reduction opportunities within the business
    • Liaise with suppliers to resolve issues with performance and regularly review, suggest, and develop improvements

• Stakeholder Management
  • Manage and support a wide range of internal stakeholders through to board level
  • Accountable for the development and delivery of annual targets and goals across cost, quality, reliability, and delivery
  • Work cross-functionally with other departments and internal stakeholders
  • Manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, from aligning with internal colleagues to gather, assess and challenge business requirements; to appropriately challenging external stakeholders whilst maintaining relationships
• Supplier Management
  • Implement and manage our Supplier Management Program covering all  preferred suppliers, reviewing current processes and procedures, and identifying areas for improvement
  • Measure supplier performance to identify areas for improvement, and work collaboratively to increase ESG credentials and Innovations.

Key External Relationships:

3^rd Party Suppliers

Professional and Industry Groups

Key Internal Relationships:

Procurement Leadership Team and wider team (Centre of Excellence, Business partners)

Chief Procurement Officer

Internal Audit & Financial Teams

Mitie Professional services Leadership Teams

Business Division MD's and FD's, and Finance Business Partners

What we are looking for

Proven procurement professional and subject matter expert within the Professional services categories (Consultancy, Legal, Finance, Insurance, Training, Marketing, Benefits & Rewards), showing evidence of self-development, with at least 5 years procurement experience.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and analytical skills (written and oral), customer facing skills, excellent organizational skills.
• Accountable and dedicated, with a proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving and fast paced environment.
• Clear track record of stakeholder management with a clear focus on collaboration, strategy implementation and risk mitigation.
• Capable of conflict management and resolution.
• Experience managing a small team (desirable).
• CIPS qualification is preferred but not essential.
• Degree or equivalent work experience.