Job Description

Kennedys are seeking an experienced and strategic-minded Procurement Category Manager to support the development of the Procurement function across all business services departments and the legal practice. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies to support our business objectives, optimise costs, and ensure the timely and efficient delivery of goods and services.
This role will provide high quality procurement guidance, advice and support to internal stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of Procurement Strategy enabling the firm to deliver its vision and goals.
The Procurement function at Kennedys is growing and the successful candidate will support the Head of Sustainable Procurement in developing policies, processes and ways of working as it seesk to add increased value to the business.
Team
Procurement within Kennedys sits within the wider Facilities team who ensure that the firm's offices are maintained and consistently delivered to a high standard. They drive the continuous improvement of all aspects of Kennedys facilities management and property portfolio globally.
The Facilities team provide strategic support on projects, with suppliers and budget management as well as Front of House services, and ensure the firm operates the Health & Safety policy and acts in accordance with Health and Safety regulation and ISO and BSI standards.
The Facilities team have presence in all Kennedys offices.
Key responsibilities

• Provide expert advice to all stakeholders throughout the procurement lifecycle to achieve fit for purpose, sustainable, diverse and innovative sourcing solutions. This will include analysis, market research, identification and qualification of suppliers, preparation of tender documentation, management of sourcing processes, analysing supplier responses, project management and stakeholder management.
• Influence, develop and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders; internal customers, such as Team Leaders, Divisional Heads, Directors and Local Managing Partners and external supply partners/providers
• Support the development of the Global Procurement Strategy and Policies across the firm which build on our vision and goals
• The Category Manager will be expected to support the Head of Procurement in establishing and strengthening the Procurement function within Kennedys. This will involve the creation and communication of governance.
• Lead the supplier engagement programme to embed sustainable procurement within our supply chain, ensure adherence to our Supplier Code of Conduct and implement steps to reduce the carbon emissions from our purchased goods and services
• Manage the continuous improvement of the firm's procurement processes and reporting, to track spend and supplier performance, fulfil ESG reporting requirements and provide effective commercial insight by identifying areas of risk to be addressed
• Develop and deliver appropriate procurement and contract management training across the firm.

Required experience

• Professional CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) qualification or equivalent desired
• Substantial experience working in a similar role
• Proven track record of providing strategic procurement advice and support to stakeholders at all levels across an organization
• Excellent understanding of the commercial environment including the identification of commercial risk and providing high level commercial advice to stakeholders at all levels
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence at a senior level
• Strong knowledge and experience of sustainable Procurement initiatives
• Excellent IT skills including advanced Excel and experience of using databases and analytics tools.

Please let us know if you require any additional support or adjustments to be made in order to submit your application to Kennedys.
*where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.

Skills Required