Greystar
European Category Director
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About Greystar
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated global real estate platform offering expertise in property management, investment management, development, and construction services in institutional-quality rental housing. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Greystar manages and operates over $350 billion of real estate in more than 260 markets globally with offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, managing over one million units/beds globally. Across its platforms, Greystar has nearly $79 billion of assets under management, including over $34 billion of development assets and over $36.5 billion of regulatory assets under management. Greystar was founded by Bob Faith in 1993 to become a provider of world-class service in the rental residential real estate business. To learn more, visit www.greystar.com.
Job Description Summary
The European Category Director will create the strategy for each category assigned to them. They will lead on benefits identification – utilizing business and market knowledge to build a pipeline of procurement activity that will deliver commercial value and service benefits across Europe.
The European Category Director will determine a set of sourcing priorities each year – personally executing EU-wide / strategic tenders and directing the Procurement Managers in the delivery of market-specific procurement activity.
The European Category Director will be responsible for the management and performance of up to 3 direct reports located in the UK. The Category Director must also ensure the effective coordination of EU-wide sourcing initiatives by working closely with the procurement managers located outside of the UK.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The European Category Manager will act as a business partner to senior stakeholders.
The role will work closely alongside the Senior Director of European Procurement – helping to shape the future of procurement, demonstrating the value of best-in-class procurement, driving supply chain ESG initiatives and ensuring organization-wide compliance with the procurement policy.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the category strategy and sourcing activity for major spend categories
- Negotiate group-wide / strategic supplier deals and frameworks
- Manage and develop the Procurement Managers embedded in each market
- Oversee and approve the procurement activity executed by the Procurement Managers
- Track and report benefits delivery and project status (personal and team activity)
- Drive adoption of procurement best practice across markets
- Identify and drive ESG initiatives
- Support the implementation of procurement policies, processes, systems, and tools across all markets
- Proactive engagement of senior stakeholders – demonstrate the value of procurement, build confidence and trust
- Shape an SRM program and manage the performance of strategic and preferred suppliers
- Support the onboarding of new assets and third-party business
- Assist with the development of the procurement value proposition
- Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary for the effective performance of the role
Knowledge & Qualifications:
- University Degree in a relevant field is preferred, but not essential
- MCIPS certified
- Procurement experience (10 years minimum)
- Excellent written, numerical, and communication skills
- Fluent in English, a second European language would be beneficial
- IT literate and proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook (advanced level)
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Experience & Skills:
- Experience of working in Real Estate / Facilities Management / Hospitality or related industry
- At least 3 years operating at Director level - European or Global remit
- Broad category experience with deep and narrow expertise in at least one relevant category e.g. IT / indirects, FM or Capital Projects
- European sourcing experience – demonstrable knowledge of Greystar’s European markets and associated supply chains
- Proven track record delivering EBITDA-impacting procurement savings at scale
- The ability to balance commercial rigour with service outcomes
- Capable of building and developing procurement capability in an operations-led organization
- Comfortable operating through influence across a complex, multi-market business
- The ability to lead in a fast-paced environment where priorities and demand is subject to change
- Identification and delivery of ESG initiatives – reducing environmental impact, responsible procurement practices, and delivering social value via the supply chain
Important Notice
Greystar will never request your banking details or other sensitive personal information during the interview process. Greystar does not conduct any interviews via text or messaging, and all communication will come from official Greystar email addresses (@greystar.com). If you receive suspicious requests, please report them immediately to AskHR@greystar.com.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London