Category Manager – Procurement EMEA

You Lead the Way. We've Got Your Back.

With the right backing, people and businesses have the power to progress in incredible ways. When you join Team Amex, you become part of a global and diverse community of colleagues with an unwavering commitment to back our customers, communities and each other. Here, you'll learn and grow as we help you create a career journey that's unique and meaningful to you with benefits, programs, and flexibility that support you personally and professionally.

At American Express, you'll be recognized for your contributions, leadership, and impact-every colleague has the opportunity to share in the company's success. Together, we'll win as a team, striving to uphold our company values and powerful backing promise to provide the world's best customer experience every day. And we'll do it with the utmost integrity, and in an environment where everyone is seen, heard and feels like they belong.

Join Team Amex and let's lead the way together.

Global Supply Management (GSM) is responsible for partnering with AMEX colleagues to optimize their third-party spend. Strategic Sourcing and Category Management is GSM's face to AMEX colleagues and suppliers. We provide strategic consultation, bringing global value perspec tive, negotiation and delivery to maximize purchasing power of supplier spend and help free up investment capacity through deeper partnerships with our Business Partners. Strategic Sourcing and Category Management is also responsible for managing our supplier strategy with our business partners, identifying and on-boarding new suppliers, realizing significant cost saves and contract implementation .

Category Manager - Procurement EMEA- The role is based in Brighton, UK and reports into the Director, EMEA Strategic Sourcing & Business Enablement.

How will you make an impact in this role?

Responsibilities:

• Lead regional Category Management program across various categories including spend profile, category strategies and industry benchmarking.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with business unit partners to understand key business strategies, goals, challenges and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and suppliers to realize saves, influence demand and drive other value add benefits to support business growth.
• Partner with Global Category team to bring global value chain perspective and enterprise mindset to deliver significant value.
• Apply external category intelligence, competitive market knowledge, lead with external insights on innovation and best category management practices.
• Ensure end to end delivery of regional procurement strategy, including RFX and contract negotiations. Act as the coordination point for all local and global engagements for the region.
• Support supplier contract negotiations in collaboration with Global and Local teams, Source to Contract, GCO, etc.
• Handle multiple and competing priorities both in procurement and within the business while following Amex policies and processes.
• Maintain and promote Amex values by ensuring that work is completed to the highest professional, compliance, and regulatory standards.
• Support core workstreams as part of the regional Environmental Social & Governance program.
• Contribute and support process improvements with a focus on reducing time to market and enhancing Amex colleague user experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Category management, strategic sourcing and contract negotiations experience.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, balanced with proven track record of delivering tangible results in complex, global and matrix work environment.
• Effective time management, ability to deliver strong results on schedule.
• Strong focus on external environment, knowledge of financial services industry is a plus.
• Proven experience in thought leadership to overcome challenges and lead without direct authority. Ability to coach and develop team members.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills with ability to collaborate and influence.
• Strong project management skills and financial management experience including development of CBAs, presentations and financial models.
• Must be an independent self-starter and have proven ability to drive results and prioritize work activities.
• A bachelor's degree (business management, supply chain management) and/or CIPS qualification is desirable.

We back our colleagues and their loved ones with benefits and programs that support their holistic well-being. That means we prioritize their physical, financial, and mental health through each stage of life. Benefits include:

• Competitive base salaries
• Bonus incentives
• Support for financial-well-being and retirement
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability benefits (depending on location)
• Flexible working model with hybrid, onsite or virtual arrangements depending on role and business need
• Generous paid parental leave policies (depending on your location)
• Free access to global on-site wellness centers staffed with nurses and doctors (depending on location)
• Free and confidential counseling support through our Healthy Minds program
• Career development and training opportunities

Offer of employment with American Express is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background verification check, subject to applicable laws and regulations.