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We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

Category Specialist

Making our ambitions a reality

Associated British Ports (ABP) is a major port operator with 21 port locations across the UK. We handle around 100 million tonnes of cargo across a range of different industries and contribute £7.5bn to the UK economy every year.

Who we need:

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, the purpose of the Category Specialist role (Group Procurement) is to develop and implement best practice category management across assigned categories of spend with the aim of maximising cost savings to the business whilst delivering best value and performance from the supply chain.

You will:

• Develop and implement category strategies, sourcing and contract management projects, and supplier relationship management that support business performance and cost reduction targets.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects aligned to category strategies to put in place best value Group contracts.
• Identify opportunities to increase compliance of regional and functional teams using Group contracts.
• Effectively implement a defined and agreed work plan.
• Review and update contracts, including service level agreements and key performance indicators.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance covered by category strategies.
• Ensure category strategies deliver high levels of transactional efficiency and support P2P targets.
• Develop and implement the contract management process to realise maximum benefit from the category activity with reviews of business usage and contract compliance, and provide insight through the analysis of spend, contract metrics, supply markets and savings.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on leading procurement practice to internal business partners.
• Lead the business in identification, assessment and management of potential risks associate with differing sourcing and contract management strategies for assigned categories of spend
• Ensure all category spend complies with the Group Procurement policy

Your experience:

• Knowledge and experience of delivering procurement projects including; business engagement, procurement strategy, strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, contract performance management and supplier relationship management, across a range of spend categories.
• Highly commercial, analytical and innovative in their thinking.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and relational abilities.
• Relevant professional qualification and professional body membership ideally CIPS or RICS.
• Strong drive for continuous improvement, self-starter who can work independently – never satisfied with the status quo.
• Excellent IT skills in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Ideally

• Knowledge and experience of procurement under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or Public Contract Regulations 2015.
• An understanding of Project management and Asset management principles and process
• Experience of managing various forms of contract.
• Experience of sourcing systems and purchase to pay modules in an Enterprise Resource Planning system, ideally SAP

We look after our people

As well as a competitive salary and performance related bonus, you’ll get access to our generous pension scheme, life assurance, private healthcare for you and your family, and 26 days of annual leave, with the opportunity to purchase more.

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.
Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.