Senior Category Manager

We have an exciting and challenging opportunity for a Senior Category Manager in Aviva’s Procurement team.  

In Aviva’s Procurement function we are responsible for managing the company’s indirect Third Party spend. Through deep understanding of suppliers and markets, we work with the business to help shape their requirements and ensure fit-for-purpose products and services are sourced under an appropriate contract, on the best possible terms, whilst driving maximum value.

We also provide a framework to help the business manage their active suppliers to enable them to maximise performance and manage operational risk. As a function we are responsible for ensuring our new sourcing and existing supplier agreements support the Aviva Strategy, especially in the areas of People and Professional Services. The Procurement function serves all Business Units driving opportunities for commercial optimisation.  

A bit about the job: 

The purpose of your role is to maximise value through the end-to-end commercial management of Aviva’s key suppliers and associated third party spend, focussing on driving performance and commercial benefit from the supply chain. You’ll meet agreed commercial targets for the category – including delivery of sustainable cost reductions and also be accountable for the management of all relevant category or sub-category spend. You will also be responsible for outsourcing projects that support and drive the group strategy and a significant amount of time will be spent challenging the various functions to ensure a holistic strategy and plan is executed, and effective stakeholder management, communication and strong negotiation skills are a key requirement.

Specialising in Property & Facilities Management Services, you’ll apply appropriate commercial, supplier relationship management, risk management and category management skills, tools and techniques in order to: drive value for money through the identification and delivery of savings, drive performance by optimising the Aviva supply chain, demonstrate category expertise, be at the forefront of new emerging technologies and market changes, mitigate and manage risk manage suppliers within the category to achieve contracted levels of performance and benefit delivery to Aviva, and align Procurement strategies to business plans.

You will deliver these through combining market intelligence with a deep understanding of existing supplier arrangements and business requirements to plan and implement sourcing and supply chain strategies, working closely with business colleagues to create fit-for-purpose contracts and supply relationships, managing contracts for value and performance, locking in business benefits, managing supply chains to deliver service in line with operational business requirements, riving further value through managing and developing supply relationships, the utilisation of appropriate processes, systems, controls and governance mechanisms, and managing complex commercial and contractual disputes, breaches and exit.

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, you’ll also be accountable for delivering a shared service and maintaining strong relationships with a range of business units and markets so that their requirements may be assimilated and leveraged to deliver the best outcome for Aviva as a whole, taking personal responsibility and accountability for your own category of spend will be key together with being a subject matter expert and role model, sharing your knowledge and developing other members of the team.

Skills and experience we’re looking for:  

• Commercial and stakeholder management skills and proven track record of building strong internal business and supplier relationships.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven track record of optimising strategy and delivering Commercial, SRM, or Category Management within a demanding, fast evolving environment.
• Contracting experience, comfortable managing sourcing processes and developing and negotiating agreements in accordance with appropriate governance, influencing decisions where necessary.
• CIPS qualification / educated to degree level or equivalent preferable.
• Change management expertise and a knowledge of People and Professional Services or Financial Services desirable.

What you’ll get for this role: 

Our purpose - with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague. 

• Salary between £60,000 - £70,000 (location, skills, experience, and qualifications dependant) 
• Bonus opportunity of 12% of annual salary (actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s) 
• Generous pension scheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in. 
• 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days. 
• Make your money go further - Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts. 
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme. 
• Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave. 
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work. 
• Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others. 
• We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools.