Senior Procurement Category Manager
About us
We are Direct Line Group – home to some of the country's best-known brands including Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege, Greenflag, and NIG. Our vision is to create a world where insurance is personal, inclusive, and a force for good, and our purpose is to help people carry on with their lives, giving them peace of mind - now and in the future.
To help us deliver on this vision and purpose, we’re in an evolution to become a forward-thinking technology and data-enabled organisation. Following significant build and transformation of core technology (e.g. cloud transformation and a decommissioning of legacy systems), the next wave of our maturity brings incremental, fast-paced delivery – underpinned by our people and support through our suppliers. Supplier and contract management is critical to the success of these transformation programmes as we invest heavily into them, and we want to deliver value and excellent customer experience at pace.
The sourcing and contract management sits with our Central Procurement teams. Reporting into our Head of Category (for Technology), we’re currently recruiting for a Senior Category Manager who will be responsible for managing high-value contracts and relationships with IT/Technology suppliers for DLG.
We’re looking for someone who understands how to connect the dots between Procurement and the ‘business’ – in this case, our Chief Information Office (CIO) stakeholders. You will need to be inherently curious – always seeking to drive improvements with our supply partners and someone who wants to move at-pace. We work and think agile and would expect you to lead a team to do the same.
What you'll be doing:
As a business, it’s important that we’re maximising our relationships and that contractual obligations are met. And that’s where you come in.
We have a suppliers list, but technology is always changing – and that means our suppliers list can (and should!) too. We want to understand the external landscape and market to really provide our Tech teams with the confidence that the suppliers we onboard are truly the best. You’ll oversee sourcing through our sourcing teams, operational and strategic reviews, negotiations, as well as internal controls.
Once contracts are signed and suppliers are onboarded, you’ll be responsible for all commercial aspects of the contract (contracts with value >£10mm) - challenging unnecessary business demands, managing contractual obligations which includes reclaiming service credits and rebates, tracking and measuring benefits secured from the suppliers, and ensuring the CIO teams feel supported by the Procurement function.
Shape the future - working alongside Architecture and Engineering teams to develop long term category and relationship strategies for partners, aligning to DLG mission
Execute our Plans – relentless focus on delivering value for our customers, taking the lead on complex supplier reviews, and driving jointly developed value creation plans with our partners
Report on performance – increase visibility of supplier output including service level agreement (SLA) obligations, spend, financial stability and other key controls
Protect the business - identifying emerging risks including cyber, operational resilience and service performance, working with partners and service owners to address and minimise any potential business disruption
Support DLG’s mission to Net Zero - working actively with partners on their plans to reduce DLG’s Scope 3 emissions and encourage sign up to SBTi
Support colleague growth - managing and coaching a team of Procurement Category Managers and Specialists, with responsibility for their objectives, performance, and career development
What you'll need:
We’re open to candidates from any industry but would expect an understanding of our customer base and interest in the insurance industry. What’s most important is your understanding of interactions between people, processes, technology, and how (and where) suppliers can support.
Experience in an IT/Technology Procurement role is essential
Experience in reviewing contracts (they can be tricky to decipher!)
Demonstrable experience in supplier negotiations and reviews
Ways of Working
Our mixed model way of working offers a 'best of both worlds' approach combining the best parts of home and office-working, offering flexibility for everyone. Our Technology Procurement team is based across Leeds, Bromley South London, and Glasgow. Our local teams get together in each of the hubs once a week, and a full-team day, monthly, in Bromley (although we’re moving to London Bridge Monument in just a few months!).
Read our flexible working approach here.
Benefits
We recognise we wouldn't be where we are today without our colleagues, that's why we offer excellent benefits designed to suit your lifestyle:
Generous 9% employer pension. Regardless of whether you contribute into your pension or not, DLG pay 9% into your pension (but you can take this as cash if you want!)
Eligibility for annual performance bonus of up to 20%
Generous holidays - 30 days annual leave (excluding the bank holidays). Plus, the option of buying or selling upto 5 days each year!
50% off home, motor, and pet insurance
Free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover
Electric Vehicle car scheme which allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way
Free private medical cover for you!
Buy-as-you-earn share scheme
Employee discounts and cashback
Being yourself
Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers.
We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.
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