Category Manager

Overview

Manage procurement categories, develop strategies, and drive cost savings for hard services.

Key Responsibilities

• spend reduction
• supplier management
• rfp process
• cost benchmarking
• reporting
• stakeholder network

Tasks

-Monitor supplier / category expenditures and trends -Promoting rebate arrangements across group to maximise utilisation -Leading the development of procurement strategies in close cooperation with business operations and procurement stakeholders activating all spend reduction levers -Defining and implementing an action plan to deploy strategies for BUs/entities to effectively reduce their external spend on the category and/or mitigate market increases -Supporting operational entities in the implementation and monitoring of supplier policy defined for the category -Adapting strategy in response to changes (market, internal budgets, technologies) -Work to and support supply chain deals, working with the divisional procurement teams to ensure the BU achieves the best potential in terms of supplier arrangements -Attend and participate in Design Team Meetings to influence and steer specifications towards most commercially advantageous products/solutions -Strategic management of the allocated Hard Services allocated: analysis of spend & business needs, anticipation of future needs, supplier market analysis and market dynamics - Management of the related supply chain, contract extension/renewal, launch and drive end to end RFP/RFQ processes, etc -Build and maintain excellent supplier relations -Steering economic performance (external spend reduction), supplier performance on category -Support subcontractor procurement by benchmarking and interrogating costs to ensure additional contribution opportunities are realised (re-invigoration of cost benchmarking database and e-procurement) -Assist the Delivery and Commercial teams in efficient subcontract procurement -Maintain and publish regular and accurate reports demonstrating the effectiveness of strategic sourcing arrangements and contribution to the group profit improvement / efficiency plan -Oversee and manage the recovery of retrospective rebates -Understand and protect the companies commercial and legal position in relation to its contractual engagement with supply chain arrangements clearly setting out the terms and proposals -Provide pre-tender specialist commercial input as required to ensure accurate net cost pricing -Setting annual rebate collection targets -Creating an internal stakeholder network around key categories with representation from all business lines

Requirements

• cips level5
• change management
• category management
• commercial law
• senior procurement
• savings

What You Bring

-Experience in change management and implementation -CIPS Level 5, or working towards -Ability to provide creative solutions to issues/ problems -Previous experience in a senior procurement and/or similar role -Demonstrable ability to create collaborative working relationships and effective partnerships -Experience in procurement with a proven track record of delivery of savings -Understanding and practical application of base UK law applicable to Commercial contracts -Experience in Category Management -Demonstrate high levels of personal and business probity in both self and team -Experience in developing work winning solutions with operational and business development stakeholders to drive better technical solutions and outcomes

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Benefits

-Cycle to work scheme -Holiday purchase scheme -24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app -25 days annual leave (+ public holidays) -2 corporate social responsibility days per year -Life Cover equivalent to 2 times annual salary -Gym membership discounts -Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme -Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers -Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes -Access to our growing employee networks including AccessAbility (representing those with physical and mental disabilities), Encompass (representing the LGBTQ+ community), RISE (representing people from ethnic backgrounds), WOMEN TOGETHER (representing women in Equans), Working Parents, and Young Professionals.

About Equans Uk & Ireland

-It’s part of a global powerhouse operating in 20 countries with a €19.2 billion turnover in 2024. -In the UK & Ireland, the company delivers multi‑disciplinary projects—from town regeneration to smart energy systems. -Expertise spans technical services, facilities management, low‑carbon energy, green mobility, district energy and decentralised renewables. -Typical projects include hospital energy upgrades, heat networks at universities, public sector building retrofits and urban regeneration schemes. -A standout fact: it rebranded from ENGIE in mid‑2021 to sharpen focus and agility in technical and energy services. -Now led by a locally appointed CEO, it combines global scale with regional delivery—blending international muscle with UK‑Ireland focus.

Sector Specialisms

Security Clearance

-dbs basic check required; ability to pass is essential.