Senior Category Manager

Overview:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead category strategies across Data Acquisition, Research Services, Panel & Incentive Management Services, while supporting selected Technology procurement initiatives and strategic supplier relationships.
• Lead end to end sourcing and go to market activities, including requirements definition, market engagement, evaluation, negotiation, contracting and implementation.
• Take ownership of established and developing categories, simplifying fragmented activity and introducing clear processes, governance and sourcing strategies.
• Make procurement easier for stakeholders by creating practical, efficient ways of working while maintaining appropriate commercial controls.
• Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance and wider commercial value through spend analysis, demand management, supplier negotiation and effective implementation.
• Skills and Knowledge Required
• Typically 7–8 years of procurement or category management experience in a fast-moving global environment.
• Strong category experience across either Technology or Marketing, with the ability to understand market dynamics, cost drivers and supplier pricing models.
• Proven experience taking ownership of a category, streamlining fragmented activity and putting effective processes, governance and strategies in place.
• A track record of improving the stakeholder experience while delivering measurable savings and commercial value.
• Strong sourcing, negotiation and contracting capability, supported by sound commercial judgement.
• Experience working with global stakeholders and suppliers across complex, cross-functional organisations.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical capability, including spend analysis, financial evaluation and using data to identify opportunities and support decisions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a practical approach to removing complexity and resolving operational challenges
• Working knowledge of supplier risk and performance management; deep TPRM expertise is not required.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Bachelors Degree and/or MCIPS.
• Our offer
• Our specialist expertise, pioneering technology and commitment to innovation provide the ideal environment for career growth.
• Want to have a real-world impact? Help us deliver the trusted data that informs decisions in content and advertising across the world.
• When you join us, you’ll gain the benefit of our global reach, advanced technical innovation and deep expertise. We’ll support you with training and career development opportunities. Become part of a community of passionate, dedicated professionals.
• Why join Fifty5Blue?
• We pride ourselves on understanding people, and what makes us think and act the way we do. And because we know people, we like to make sure our own people are being looked after as well. Equality of opportunity for everyone is our highest priority and we support our colleagues to work in a way that supports their health and wellbeing. While we encourage teams to spend part of their working week in the office, we understand no one size fits all; our approach is flexible to ensure everybody feels included, accepted, and that we can win together. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive culture and value the diversity of our people, clients, suppliers and communities, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds and sections of society. Even if you feel like you’re not an exact match, we’d love to receive your application and talk to you about this job or others at Fifty5Blue.
• Privacy and Legal Statement
• PRIVACY DISCLOSURE: Please note that by applying to this opportunity you consent to the personal data you provide to us to be processed and retained by Fifty5Blue. Your details will be kept on our Internal ATS (Applicant Tracking System) for as long as is necessary for the purposes of recruitment, which may include your details being shared with the hiring manager(s) and for consideration for potential future opportunities at Fifty5Blue. For full details of our privacy policy please visit https://www.fifty5blue.com/privacy-policies/fifty5blue-privacy-notice-for-candidates
• We pride ourselves on understanding people, and what makes us think and act the way we do.
• And because we know people, we like to make sure our own people are being looked after as well. Equality of opportunity for everyone is our highest priority and we support our colleagues to work in a way that supports their health and wellbeing. While we encourage teams to spend part of their working week in the office, we understand no one size fits all; our approach is flexible to ensure everybody feels included, accepted, and that we can win together. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive culture and value the diversity of our people, clients, suppliers and communities, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds and sections of society. Even if you feel like you’re not an exact match, we’d love to receive your application and talk to you about this job or others at Fifty5Blue.