Professional Services Categories Assistant Team Leader

Job Overview

The Professional Services Categories Assistant Team Leader is responsible for spearheading category management initiatives related to professional services including consulting, finance, HR, and insurance services. This includes crafting category management strategies for commercial sectors with alignment to sourcing teams, adhering to established business policies and protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct all activities related to category management in professional services.
• Collaborate with sector teams and sourcing departments to develop category management agendas and strategies.
• Manage service level agreements specific to category management functions.
• Create and maintain a taxonomy structure covering commercial categories and subcategories.
• Take charge of service delivery functions emphasizing effective execution.
• Forecast changes in company needs, prioritize category initiatives accordingly in consultation with other sectors.
• Develop category segmentation criteria and map supplier relationships as per desired frameworks.
• Monitor supply market trends including competitors, new entrants, substitutions, and value chain changes.
• Analyze historical consumption data to assess demand patterns and deviations.
• Shape sourcing strategies covering vendor selection, contracting, sourcing levers, and key performance indicators.
• Coordinate with sourcing teams on business planning efforts and synchronize purchasing needs with unit management and suppliers.
• Regularly report on department status and service delivery progress to category management leadership.
• Evaluate supplier risks including financial and supply chain vulnerabilities, taking corrective actions as necessary.
• Identify and implement category management synergies across subsidiaries with stakeholder coordination.
• Maintain and update a comprehensive supplier catalogue by categories.
• Serve as the primary liaison for key stakeholder interactions including business units, finance, strategy, and sourcing teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in purchasing, procurement operations, and contract management preferably within the telecommunications sector.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Engineering.
• Preferred certifications include Certified International Procurement Professional (CIPP), Certified Professional in Supply Chain Management (CPSM), or CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply.

Skills & Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of telecommunications, ICT, and commercial industries.
• Understanding of company strategy, business units, and functional priorities.
• Strong grasp of procurement principles and processes including RFI, RFQ, RFP, vendor selection, and negotiation.
• Excellent communication and planning capabilities.
• Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills in data analysis, market research, risk management, and tracking industry trends.
• Proficient in supplier relationship management.