Category Manager - Indirect (Travel/Fleet)

Job Introduction

If you’ve got a passion for procurement read on… We’re looking for a driven and passionate Category Manager – Indirect develop and manage a portfolio of categories with varied spend.

You will develop the sourcing strategy for all categories under your remit with a clear focus to plan effectively, build a strong expertise across the categories managed and work with the global supply management buying teams to implement global categories to the UK & I.

To be successful in this role you will have proven experience working within a global environment with track record on spend areas that include indirect procurement ideally within travel and fleet but we will consider experience in other indirect categories.

There will be a requirement for some national travel to our London or Stevenage office once a month.

Role Responsibility

Category Management

• Manage autonomously the assigned categories under the scope of responsibility.
• Establish close relationship with the Supply relationship management and Deployment teams 
• Ensure a good alignment and on boarding of the key stakeholders within the Service Operations platform.
• Generate savings and increase revenues

Improve profitability by optimizing agreements and alignment with global contracts

• Negotiate regional agreements and secure best net prices
• Generate savings and improve commercial terms

Set up, initiate and maintain professional relationships with the regional supplier network in order to :

• Reinforce the image and the credibility of Sodexo
• Identify the technological developments and innovations from the supplier base

Working with Supply Management Finance to ensure robust reporting and measurement of the Global Supply Management performance.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience in Buying/Category Management 
• Ability in working in a multi-cultural and matrix environment
• Proven-track records in contract negotiation
• Strong presentation skills both verbally and written  
• Working towards CIPS/ISM or equivalent qualification
• Team player with excellent communication and influencing skills
• Financial acumen and result orientated
• Flexible for international travel where required

Indirect - desired

• Experience in both goods and services procurement.
• Indirect categories, such as Recruitment, Temporary Labour, Stationery, PPE, Disposables, Travel, Fleet, Transport, Utilities, Postage, Occupational Health, Cash in Transit and other in line with business requirements.
• Experience in multi-site procurement across diverse sectors such Healthcare, Public Sector, Corporate Services and Pharma.

Package Description

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our employees, Sodexo offers a Flexible Benefits Scheme, allowing you to tailor a reward package to suit your needs:

• Dental insurance
• Critical illness cover (for yourself and your partner)
• Kids Pass (offering a range of discounts on family friendly attractions)
• Travel insurance
• Technology
• Gourmet Society membership
• Tastecard
• Will writing
• Wine offer
• GymFlex
• Holiday trading
• Private Medical Insurance

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs around 30,000 people, and partners with clients in many sectors across business and industry; schools and universities; sports and leisure; energy and resources; government and agencies; healthcare; justice and defence.

Sodexo’s connected; people-centric approach brings together a diverse range of expertise. The breadth of services it offers ranges from food and hospitality; cleaning; reception; concierge (Circles); security; property management and technical services through to data driven workplace strategy and design (Wx); employee engagement and recognition services (Sodexo Engage) and personal home services through Prestige Nursing + Care and the Good Care Group.

Vital Spaces is Sodexo’s value proposition that puts people at the heart of everything we do, bringing together services and solutions and focusing on the productivity and wellbeing of people wherever they are.

Sodexo is committed to being an inclusive employer; we welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process