Procurement Category Manager

The role

We're looking for a Procurement Category Manager - Indirect to join our Procurement team We focus on Goods Not For Resale only, this is not a product buying role. The Procurement team is a small team meaning you will have direct engagement with stakeholders of all levels and the autonomy to drive your own initiatives. We are a values based business, please take the time to review these before applying.

As a Procurement Category Manager at N Brown, you'll drive value from sourcing processes and commercial negotiation to ensure the most suitable solution is achieved; enabling us to delight our internal and external customers.

Category Managers are expected to work closely with business stakeholders to identify and scope opportunities, and are ultimately responsible for the creation and continual review of robust, forward looking plans for third party suppliers and their contracts. Using a full range of supply and demand levers, to identify opportunities that deliver tangible value to our business.

Operating with a governance and risk management mindset and facilitating Supplier Relationship Management with business stakeholders, the Category Manager reviews spend within their remit, and in conjunction with stakeholders, will create short and long term plans which take into account business resource and priorities as well as team capacity.

The Category Manager will facilitate the P2P process from supplier onboarding through to payment, working closely with stakeholders such as Accountants, Budget Holders, Directors and Administrators as well as Supplier Relationship Managers for the ongoing management of strategic and critical suppliers in remit.

What will you do as a Procurement Category Manager at N Brown?

• You'll develop and continually review robust, forward looking plans in collaboration with Category Lead and business stakeholders to address business needs, supply market dynamics and technological advancements.
• You'll work with stakeholders to consider a variety of commercial models, providing constructive challenge to drive the most appropriate business outcome.
• You'll closely manage contracts and suppliers within remit to align to the Category plan, the Category Manager shares insights with the business and drives reviews; and acts where opportunities and risks appear.
• You will be required to work with colleagues to think creatively to identify solutions that continuously deliver best value for the business.
• You'll be delivering support to Supplier Relationship Managers and ensuring compliance with the organisational SRM policy.
• You'll collaborate with the relevant business stakeholders to determine contract KPI's & SLA's that are relevant and capable of effective measurement for supplier performance and relationship management. You'll work with commercial finance to record cost reductions and cost avoidance.
• You'll contribute to the creation of category pipeline of initiatives to achieve or exceed savings targets, or to mitigate oncost.
• You'll lead negotiations with suppliers and partners to realise cost efficiency opportunities and negotiate commercial terms and contracts, closely aligned with stakeholders.
• You'll work with agility when priorities change.

What skills and experience will you have?

• You'll have Indirect Procurement experience across various categories or relevant category (Technology preferred).
• You'll ideally have experience of working in a Category led team.
• You'll have the relevant technical skills to deliver in role including use of e-Procurement and P2P systems.
• You'll have excellent relationship building within the business, with supplier and partners and the wider category markets.
• You'll be an accomplished negotiator and influencer at a Senior Leadership level (both internal and external).
• You'll be a strong communicator, adapting your style and approach appropriate to your audience.
• You'll be numerate with strong commercial acumen to be able to identify and evaluate opportunities.
• Minimum 3-5 years experience.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid working.
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days.
• Annual bonus scheme.
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave.
• Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate.
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution.
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services.
• A range of financial wellbeing support.
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands.
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance.
• Paid volunteer time - all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice.

N Brown - who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we're committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by 'championing inclusion, we'll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer'. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

We're a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We're customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We're experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We're inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we're sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we're so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you're in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we're perfectly located, plus we're surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat

Our working hours are 36.17 per week and our core working hours are between 10am - 4pm. Given we don't have strict working hours you can find the working pattern that's right for you.

Our promise to you:

We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we'll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck