Global Category Manager jobs
Category management in the procurement field is overseeing the acquisition of certain classes of goods or materials, often those that are somehow interconnected or interdependent. In larger companies and/or those where sourcing is international, an additional layer of management, the global category procurement manager, might be inserted.
Depending on how advanced the existing procurement is, the global category manager might be required to develop an entire global category procurement strategy or manage the one that is already in operation within a set of guidelines. Either way, the aim will be to reduce costs to the company, which will be achieved by negotiating deals and rates with supplier, forming partnerships and constantly analysing the market in which he or she is working.
A general aim will be to reduce or limit costs wherever possible, both within the employing company through systems, staffing and prudent economising and through the act of procurement itself. The global category manager will have to implement a worldwide plan of action throughout the company. This can mean seeking to impose consistency internationally to meet the results of forecasting, planning and analysis. But it can also involve the exact opposite: tailoring different procurement strategies to the different market environments to take advantage of local efficiencies.
The skills required
Management level experience would be a prerequisite a job of this level, and many employers will demand a bachelor’s degree, MBA or other recognised business qualification. A proven ability to communicate ideas and complicated instructions to the team will be required, and only people with an analytical mindset will we able to cope with such work.
Owing to the international nature of the job, language fluency would be extremely useful, as would a willingness to work abroad, often for long periods. A thorough understanding of the market in which the company seeks to procure materials and goods will probably be requested too, although this could be counterbalanced by excellence in procurement in another field.
An ability to fully understand the implications of contracts, and possibly the ability to draw them up from scratch, will also be an essential personal ability.
Global Category Manager Jobs in Worthing
The seaside town of Worthing lies on England’s south coast, halfway between Brighton and Bognor Regis, in West Sussex. Settlement dates back to the Stone Age, and Worthing was a sleepy mackerel fishing town until the Georgian period, when grand building started springing up as it became part of the tourist trail. Much of the splendid architecture survives to this day, and the town now has a population of around 100,000.
The town is still best known as a holiday resort, Worthing does have a thriving economy that includes financial services (e.g. Aviva), pharmaceuticals (e.g. GlaxoSmithKline), government (HM Revenue and Customs) and the creative industries. There is a relatively strong manufacturing sector, too, which almost matches the employment attained by tourism-related industries. In the 1990s the town was particularly profitable, and its population are relatively affluent, especially for a town of its size.
Holiday resorts often suffer out of season, but this does not seem to the case with Worthing, which has managed to be productive and quite industrialised without sacrificing any of its Georgian charm. All this in combination makes it a place anyone looking for a Global Category Manager position should put on their watch list if they live in the area – you may be surprised at what comes up.
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Cast UK’s procurement opportunities
Cast UK were founded by specialists in logistics, supply chain and procurement, and our consultants are also drawn from these backgrounds, so we know what employers and candidates are looking for when they come to us. In fact, employers often approach us to find managerial and executive candidates before they are advertised, so if you’re in procurement, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Whether you’re relocating for personal reasons or are simply looking for more job fulfilment, there could well be an employer who’s looking for the skills you have. At any given time, Cast UK have jobs all over the UK, so wherever you live, or plan to live, we are well placed to find work that suits your skills.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Global Category Manager for your business or find you a job as a Global Category Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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