Category Manager – Guildford, Birmingham and Leeds

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The Category Manger for – Directs will be responsible for leading the sourcing strategies for some of our largest spend areas in WSP working with our Executive Team and also working on synergy projects for two recent acquisitions undertaken by the business.

This role sits within a broader Procurement Category Management Function aiming to add quality and value, contribute to operating margin and reduce the overall cost base within the business. Stakeholders will span all levels of staff within the WSP business and will extend to external suppliers.

The role reports directly into Head of Category – Directs.

Your new role, what’s involved?

• Representing the Category Management team within and outside the business.
• Representing procurement and delivering synergy savings as part of the wider Integration team bringing on the two new businesses.
• Responsible for development of pipeline of activity for the categories and delivering against plan.
• Overseeing the design and delivery of Category Strategies.
• Providing knowledge-based challenge and input into proposed strategies, drawing on knowledge of markets, suppliers and industries concerned
• Stakeholder engagement to ensure procurement are involved in a strategic capacity with all significant procurement activity from the very beginning.
• Ensuring that suppliers used are safe and sustainable
• Provision of timely and accurate forecast reports showing expected savings versus budget
• Utilisation of appropriate Supplier Relationship Management to ensure suppliers perform in line with their SLA’s, drive continuous improvement and for more strategic suppliers ensure that innovation and growth options are also pursue.
• Leading and executing strategic Category Management plans following WSP’s 5 stage methodology:
• Data Gathering & Analysis – you will develop a clear understanding of internal business requirements and spend data
• Agreeing the Strategy – you will collate and then use analyse this data through recognised models to generate strategic sourcing options
• Sourcing & Negotiation – you will execute the agreed strategy, leading on all tenders, direct negotiations, e-auctions etc as required
• Implementation & Transition – you will lead the business through the changes required to exit the previous arrangements and into the new arrangements
• Managing the Relationship – you will ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure that the supplier relationships are managed appropriately
• Reporting delivery of annualised Savings to Budget, ensuring clear and auditable benefits tracking
• Contract and performance management of strategic and critical suppliers.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Strong leadership and motivational ability and the ability to be curious.
• Demonstrable savings delivery using a Category Management process
• Cross functional project management, able to deliver within a matrix environment
• Proven track record of delivering change programmes
• Negotiation and influencing skills
• Problem solving and decision making
• Extensive experience reviewing contracts
• Demonstrated experience of cost reduction activity
• Experience across a diverse number of categories and sectors
• Gravitas to engage with and influence senior personnel
• Shown that you can work with key stakeholders across the business, at different levels of seniority
• The ability to suggest innovative and creative solutions to problems or perceived issues arising.
• The ability to identify and deliver optimised opportunities.
• The capability to drive insight through analysis of key management information
• The strength of character to overcome challenges and deliver the best commercial solution

What’s in it for you?

• Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

• Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

• Health & Wellbeing?

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

• Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the “WSP Hour” which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

• Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that’s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring.

Apply now and be the future of WSP!

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.

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