The Campaign and Ecommerce Category Lead is responsible for the execution of a category management approach across the whole of the John Lewis Partnership. Managing a specified portfolio of all agency partners and contractors linked to art direction, art buying including talent, photographers, etc. with a focus on compliance, driven efficiencies, risk mitigation, and a reduction in the total cost of ownership for the group. The Category Lead is responsible for conducting internal and external analyses and engaging effectively with stakeholders to determine optimum sourcing strategies.
The Category Lead will liaise with the Group Commercial Director on a regular basis to provide updates on category performance and provide additional insight through reporting and commentary as required. They will manage the relationships with suppliers and monitor supplier performance and interface with the Business to understand demand for and the impact of sourcing activities.
This role will be working remotely, but with regular travel to John Lewis Partnership + ITG sites in Bracknell, London and Birmingham, so flexibility around travel is important.
Key responsibilities:
Stakeholder Management
- Collaborate intensively with both internal and external stakeholders, including technical experts and suppliers, to align category strategies with overarching corporate goals, while fostering strong relationships to facilitate effective interdepartmental collaboration and streamline procurement processes.
Operational Activity
- Implement category management in line with the GNFR procurement strategy to meet targets such as cost reduction and quality improvements, including coaching for capability building within the organisation and providing support for wider group projects as needed.
Market Analysis and Benchmarking
- Lead in maintaining expert knowledge of the supply chain, including agency partners and contractors, to drive continuous improvement and develop procurement strategies based on market changes, while ensuring supplier performance through effective KPI monitoring and robust rate methodologies.
Category Spend Analysis
- Analyse category spending to identify opportunities for savings, strategic enhancements, risk reduction, and compliance improvement, alongside managing supplier performance to exceed contractual obligations through regular reviews and the implementation of contractual rigor.
Compliance
- Assist with audit activities and support the delivery of environmental and social responsibility strategies, maintaining a strong control environment and ensuring all category-related operations and documentation are accurately recorded and compliant.
Requirements
- Broad knowledge of agency partners and contractors linked to art direction, art buying including talent, photographers, etc. markets and various aspects of these products, solutions, and services. Likely spent time as a Producer in another agency environment.
- An understanding and experience of Category Management and its implementation.
- Minimum of 3 years procurement or producer experience in a similar industry would be advantageous.
- CIPS qualification preferred but not essential.
- Ability to influence people outside own sphere of responsibility.
- Advanced negotiation skills.
- Highly numerate.
Benefits
Work’s a treat!
On top of a competitive salary, you can expect a whole load of perks:
- 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays – we understand the importance of you getting some down time.
- Annual Wellbeing Day – enjoy an additional day on us to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Pension Scheme – helping you save towards your retirement home in the sun!
- Corporate Medical Cash Plan – claim back the cost of your medical treatments.
- Smart Working Options – spend up to 40% of your working week from home.
- So many savings – through our online community platform, you can access dozens of daily deals, from money off top brands to discounts on days out.
- Employee Assistance Programme – our people are at the heart of everything we do, so if you’re happy, we’re happy.
- Cycle to Work Scheme – save on the cost of biking to work.
- Monthly Employee Awards - Employee of the Month programme with £250 bonus
- Raising money for charity including a paid Volunteer Day – we’re all about giving back… and having lots of fun in the process!
- Referral scheme – know the perfect person to join the team? You could bag £1,500 for a putting a good word in.
- Wellbeing Programme – giving you the opportunity to join regular, interactive Wellbeing Workshops or join our 30 plus Wellbeing Champions.
- Enhanced Family Friendly Leave – support for you and your family to help you navigate through the craziness of family life.
We Value Diversity
We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.
We are not only committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under-represented groups within our organisation, but the wider industry too.
At the end of the day, we make sure we take time to look after ourselves, each other, and the planet, because we’re always stronger together.
ITG have a number of community groups available to employees and exist to offer a safe space for like-minded colleagues, with shared interests to connect, socialise and check in with each other.
These include Black ITGers Together, LGBTQ+ Together, Mens Health Together, Muslims Together, Neurodiversity Together, Working Parents and Carers Together and Women In Tech Together.
What next?
If you found yourself interested in knowing more, drop us your application and someone from our team will be in touch.
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