Procurement Strategist

About American Express

At American Express, we're dedicated to helping our customers succeed. With a focus on providing exceptional customer experiences, we strive to be the world's best service company.

Salary

The estimated annual salary for this position is £65,000 - £85,000, depending on location and experience.

Job Description

We're seeking a highly skilled Procurement Strategist to join our team in Brighton, UK. As a key member of our Global Supply Management department, you'll play a critical role in optimizing third-party spend and driving business value.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional category management programs across various categories, including spend profile, category strategies, and industry benchmarking.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with business unit partners to understand key business strategies, goals, challenges, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and suppliers to realize savings, influence demand, and drive other value-added benefits to support business objectives.
• Partner with the Global Category team to bring global value chain perspectives and an enterprise mindset to deliver significant value.
• Apply external category intelligence, competitive market knowledge, and lead with external insights on innovation and best category management practices.
• Ensure end-to-end delivery of regional procurement strategy, including RFX and contract negotiations. Act as the coordination point for all local and global engagements for the region.
• Support core workstreams as part of the regional Environmental, Social, and Governance program.
• Contribute to process improvements with a focus on reducing time to market and enhancing Amex colleague user experience.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Categorization experience.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, balanced with a proven track record of delivering tangible results in complex, global, and matrix work environments.
• Effective time management, ability to deliver strong results on schedule.
• Strong focus on the external environment, knowledge of financial services industry is a plus.
• Proven experience in thought leadership to overcome challenges and lead without direct authority. Ability to coach and develop team members.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills with the ability to collaborate and influence.
• Strong project management skills and financial management experience, including development of CBAs, presentations, and financial models.
• Must be an independent self-starter and have proven ability to drive results and prioritize work activities.
• A bachelor's degree (business management, supply chain management) and/or CIPS qualification is desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive base salaries.
• Bonus incentives.
• Support for financial well-being and retirement.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location).
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite, or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need.
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location).
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location).
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program.
• Career development and training opportunities.

Condition of Employment

An offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.