Category Manager

The people who work off-track are as important to Formula 1 as those behind the wheel. As a Category Manager, responsible for delivering a high standard of service to our stakeholders, securing best value and sustainability for the company, you could be one of them!

Reporting into the Senior Category Manager, based in our Biggin Hill Campus, you will:

• Manage stakeholder relationships to provide a good commercial support service to the company, procurement category management of Travel, Uniform and Temporary Power (F1 Race related) within the organisation.
• Identify and deliver sourcing opportunities within your category through insight and analysis of the category, including analysis of procurement spend and supply base to ensure best fit suppliers; supplier and marketplace research; regular interaction with Group Managers and Finance in prioritising the opportunities for the short, medium, and long term.
• Develop effective relationships and collaborative working styles with key stakeholders, including business leads, Finance, Legal, Health & Safety and Compliance.
• Using Category insight and analysis (spend data, tools & processes) to create a category plan to socialise and agree with all relevant stakeholders. Creation of a yearly project plan for all key category priorities to be delivered, ensuring that resources are optimally used.
• Collaborate with business leads to ensure best deal has been achieved through taking responsibility in commercial and contractual negotiations and drafting with external suppliers.
• Running the end-to-end Procurement Cycle including the preparation of (RFx) pretender, tender documents, tender execution and contract award and subsequent contract management.
• Manage supplier performance and collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation and continuous improvement.
• Negotiate with suppliers to ensure best value for the Formula One Group with robust terms & conditions that manages the Group’s risk appropriately and are in alignment with business needs.
• Support and coach direct reports through regular feedback meetings, setting of yearly objectives and completing End of Year assessments.
• Support the business in drafting specifications and ensure the final product is clear, unambiguous, and meaningful to the marketplace.
• Contribute to Procurement’s Supply Risk Register within category and ensure that risk mitigation strategies are applied to all sourcing decisions.
• Manage the completion and accuracy of the Contracts Register for all Work In Progress projects and contract renewals / expiries.
• Own the verification process of all Purchase Order Requisition’s (POR) within your category and ensure that the businesses are compliant in their requests.
• Continuously improve team processes (and lead on initiatives when required) that will enhance efficiency within the team and / or drive best practice for the wider business.

Specification Essentials:

• Ability to draft and negotiate strong contracts to meet business needs & objectives including KPIs, SLAs and any additional relevant performance tracking requirements.
• Expert knowledge and experience of the strategic sourcing of Worldwide Travel, Travel Management, Hotel programme in a Category Management environment, including negotiating Travel Strategy & Solutions and related agreements. Exposure to a broadcast / media environment preferable.
• Excellent communication with strong written and presentation skills, an engaging style, and ability to demonstrate gravitas when discussing complex projects.
• Experience of generating fact-based insights through analysis using tools and techniques to provide strategic direction, and to be able to present to stakeholders where required.
• Ability to influence and drive behavioural change both internally and throughout the supply chain.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, up to C Suite, and ability to challenge difficult stakeholders when appropriate. Ability to pivot where directed or necessary between business priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• Working knowledge of P2P systems including Microsoft D365 9.
• Ability to work confidently when processes are not fully defined, or in an environment where there are ambiguities as well as showing resilience within challenging projects.
• Experience at a senior level position within a demanding environment.
• MCIPS required as a minimum.
• Experience of managing contracts across Travel, Uniform & Temporary Power including negotiating with large Travel suppliers, Hotels, and niche suppliers.
• Experience of setting up, managing, Framework agreements and Statement of Works.
• Direct Line management experience / indirect coaching experience.

Be the force behind Formula 1.

Division:

Corporate