Sr Category Manager, Indirect Procurement – HR, Payroll & Travel

Overview

In this role you will lead the strategy, sourcing and supplier management for key indirect spend categories (HR, Payroll, Travel) across a global organization. You will partner with senior leaders to shape category roadmaps, run complex negotiations, and drive cost optimization and value creation. This high-visibility position sits at the intersection of commercial strategy and procurement transformation, enabling long-term business impact. You’ll influence cross-functional teams and help elevate procurement capabilities in a fast-paced, global environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for HR, Payroll, Travel and other indirect categories
• Align category plans with business objectives and stakeholder priorities
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve supplier performance, reduce risk and create long-term value
• Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and supplier assessments to support decisions
• Lead sourcing initiatives from strategy through supplier selection and contract award
• Lead negotiations with global suppliers and develop evaluation frameworks
• Present recommendations and business cases to senior stakeholders
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle including renewals and amendments
• Establish supplier KPIs and governance frameworks
• Drive procurement transformation via automation, analytics, and digital initiatives
• Coach and develop procurement team members

Key requirements

• 8+ years of strategic procurement and category management experience
• Experience managing indirect procurement in a multinational or global organization
• Experience leading procurement strategies across HR, Payroll, Travel or related indirect categories
• Track record of delivering strategic sourcing initiatives and measurable cost savings
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management experience
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional initiatives
• Strong financial analysis, business case development, and commercial evaluation skills

• Strategic thinking
• Stakeholder influencing and relationship building
• Clear communication and presenting to senior leaders
• Oracle Fusion or similar ERP platforms
• Spend analysis and cost modelling
• Data-driven decision making and analytics

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