The Opportunity
This role leads the strategic sourcing, development, and ongoing optimisation of a diverse portfolio of Professional Services categories, supporting BAU and Reimagine transformation.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Category Strategy
Lead the development and delivery of Strategic Category Plans (SCPs), ensuring creation, alignment, and compliance.
Conduct detailed spend analytics, demand modelling, and market intelligence assessments.
Translate business needs into actionable category strategies.
Define long‑term category roadmaps including supplier segmentation and maturity progression.
Identify, assess, and rationalise the supplier base.
Lead cross‑functional category governance, including Consultancy Category Boards.
Promote early stakeholder engagement and strategic procurement planning.
Identify and drive continuous improvements in category management maturity.
Sourcing
Lead end‑to‑end sourcing events for all Professional Services categories.
Apply Total Cost of Ownership principles and value‑based procurement.
Lead complex negotiations including contractual, commercial, and delivery‑based elements.
Develop bespoke sourcing strategies for complex or urgent business demands.
Partner with Legal (OGC) for commercial terms, IP, and risk considerations.
Coach and support junior buyers on procurement excellence.
Ensure high‑quality sourcing documentation (eGSP, SBR, SCP alignment, SAP Ariba).
Align with global and regional buying teams.
Contract Management & Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)
Lead the end‑to‑end Contract Management lifecycle across Professional Services.
Develop performance frameworks including KPIs, SLAs, and governance structures.
Conduct regular SRM reviews with senior supplier executives.
Identify in‑contract value including rate optimisation and scope refinement.
Own supplier‑related risk management activities.
Ensure clear contractual deliverables and milestone tracking.
Drive supplier innovation, digitalisation, and productivity improvements.
Ensure commercial governance and auditing compliance.
Stakeholder Leadership & Business Partnering
Build strong, trusting, and influential relationships with stakeholders.
Act as a commercial advisor to senior leadership.
Support business case development with commercial insights.
Challenge and manage demand to ensure cost efficiency.
Partner with Transformation Leads, Finance, and more.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
Self-motivated, uses initiative and problem solver – focussed on delivering results, with a proven track record of demonstrating logic and analytical thinking.
Able to deliver quality and consistency in a complex, highly demanding environment
Professionally qualified with a proven track record in a purchasing environment
Strong leadership and influencing skills (experience in managing senior stakeholders is vital)
Excellent stakeholder management and relationship management skills and experience
An excellent negotiator with a proven track record of successful commercial negotiations
Able to manage and execute complex projects on time and in budget.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to converse at all levels of the organisation and with external suppliers/customers
Valid Driving license required
Desirable:
Previous experience as a Buyer in an Indirect Procurement function.
Shared Service/Business Process Outsourcing background desirable but not mandatory.
Ability to be highly organised and continually focus on attention to detail
A commercial understanding of terms and conditions and ability to negotiate them (with the support of OGC)
Salary description
£35.00 - £40.00 per hour