St. James's Place
Procurement Category Specialist
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With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.
At a glance:
- Location: Cirencester Office
- Workplace Type: Hybrid
- Employment Type: 9 month Fixed-Term Contract
- Seniority: Associate
About The Role
We're looking for a Procurement Category Specialist to support sourcing and category management activities across our Services category. Working alongside the Category Manager, you'll lead sourcing projects, negotiate with suppliers, manage contracts, and identify opportunities to reduce costs across all areas of indirect spend (e.g. HR, Marketing, Facilities, Professional Services, Travel and Events).
This role works closely with stakeholders across the business to understand requirements, ensure procurement activity meets regulatory and governance requirements, and deliver effective sourcing outcomes. You'll have responsibility for your own areas of spend while contributing to wider category plans and supplier management activities.
What You'll Be Doing
- Developing and delivering sourcing and negotiation strategies within your assigned spend areas.
- Supporting the development of category plans and owning delivery of agreed procurement activities.
- Identifying opportunities to reduce costs and improve supplier arrangements through spend analysis and market research.
- Leading RFx activities, including eAuctions, supplier evaluations and commercial negotiations.
- Managing contract negotiations, renewals and sourcing projects in partnership with stakeholders and Legal teams.
- Working with business stakeholders to understand current and future requirements.
- Monitoring supplier performance against agreed service levels and key performance indicators.
- Applying supplier risk management processes and ensuring compliance with internal procurement policies.
- Maintaining accurate procurement records, including contracts, sourcing activity and savings tracking.
- Ensuring procurement activity complies with relevant regulatory, legal, data privacy and security requirements.
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About You
You have experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or category management and are comfortable managing sourcing activities from planning through to contract award. You can build productive working relationships with stakeholders and suppliers, and you're confident leading negotiations and managing competing priorities. You'll be able to analyse information, assess options and make recommendations that balance cost, risk and business requirements.
Essential Criteria
- Experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management or vendor management within a services-related category.
- Proven experience leading supplier negotiations and managing contracts.
- Understanding of pricing models for people-based services such as Marketing, HR, Legal or Professional Services.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence decisions and build effective working relationships.
Desirable Skills
- Experience using procurement systems and sourcing platforms, such as MarketDojo.
- CIPS qualified, working towards a CIPS qualification, or qualified through relevant experience.
What's in it for you?
Whatever stage of life you're in, our benefits are designed to provide the support, flexibility, and peace of mind you need to thrive both at work and beyond.
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In addition to our discretionary annual bonus scheme, which reflects both individual and company performance, you'll benefit from a market-leading benefits package tailored to support your wellbeing, financial security, and family life.
Our benefits include:
- 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days.
- Private Medical Insurance – company-funded cover for you and your immediate family.
- Generous Pension Scheme – a non-contributory employer contribution of 10%, increasing with length of service up to 15%, plus the opportunity to increase this through salary sacrifice.
- Enhanced Parental Leave – up to 26 weeks' full pay to support growing families.
- Protection Benefits – company-funded critical illness cover, income protection, and life assurance.
- EV salary sacrifice scheme through Tusker.
Reasonable Adjustments
We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at careers@sjp.co.uk.
Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.
What's next?
If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.
As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.
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