Head of Procurement - Senior Category Head

At Direct Line Group, we're shaping the future. With a mission to make insurance easier and better value for our customers, we embrace change in all its richness and variety. It's not just what we do; it's how we do it. We bring our whole selves to work every day and embrace fresh thinking - after all, Britain is constantly changing and to protect the nation, we adapt with it.

Procurement at Direct Line Group is an expansive, innovative, intelligent affair. Bringing together supplier, competitor and industry knowledge, our teams source sustainable, commercially beneficial opportunities that keep us driving forward. It's a department that spans the length and breadth of the business. That means unrivalled opportunities for career development, skill-growth, and a wealth of experience to draw from. The Procurement team sits within our Chief Operating Office function, having recently welcomed our new Chief Operating Officer, Hugh Hessing, just this month!

The Procurement function has gone through extensive changes in the last few years, moving to a centralised sourcing and supplier management operating model to maximise efficiency. We're currently recruiting for a Head of Procurement (or Senior Category Head) to support our Claims, Legal and Auto Services businesses, and Property/Facilities teams.

What you'll be doing

Reporting into our Chief Procurement Officer, the Senior Category Head will play a pivotal role in creating and leading a high-performing team to deliver annual Category Planning (strategy) cycle for complex, high value and/or high risk categories to identify demand, specification and supply chain opportunities by understanding category cost drivers, markets, innovation and risks. You will manage high value and complexity spend up to £500m.

• Managing the relationship with ExCo stakeholders to align category plans to deliver the supply chain performance and a pipeline of savings and value that's aligned to the business strategy.
• Lead the team (c15 FTE) to deliver complex end to end sourcing activity including sourcing plan, tenders (RFI/RFP), complex supplier negotiations and implement contract arrangements - to drive supplier performance and deliver successfully to our customers.
• Manage all activity in line with DLG minimum standards in line with operating in a regulated industry.
• Lead functional development initiatives and contribute to the successful leadership of the function to deliver its overall priorities.
• Apply lean Six Sigma to optimise complex supplier value chains.

What we're looking for:

• Strong Category Planning (strategy) expertise - with demonstrable experience of delivering a complex sourcing programme with cost efficiencies.
• Category management experience across facilities and/or general insurance products would be useful.
• Inspirational leadership and a track record of developing high performing teams.
• Impact and influence with ExCo level stakeholders.
• Track record of driving performance from high value and complexity supply chains.
• An ability to shape future business strategy and create and execute plans with cross functional teams.

Ways of Working
Here at Direct Line Group, we recognise the importance of flexibility, not only in our personal lives but also in the way we work. Our mixed model way of working offers a best of both worlds' approach combining the best parts of home and office-working.

This role can be based in central London - minutes away from Bank Station - or our Leeds city centre office, with an expectation to be office-based c.2-3 days per week.

Benefits

We recognise we wouldn't be where we are today without our colleagues, that's why we offer excellent benefits designed to suit your lifestyle:

• Generous 9% employer pension. Regardless of whether you contribute into your pension or not, DLG pay 9% into your pension (but you can take this as cash if you want!).
• Eligibility for annual performance bonus.
• Generous holidays - 30 days annual leave (excluding the bank holidays). Plus, the option of buying or selling up to 5 days each year!
• 50% off home, motor and pet insurance.
• Free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover.
• Electric Vehicle car scheme which allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way.
• Free private medical cover for you!
• Buy-as-you-earn share scheme.
• Employee discounts and cashback.

Life at DLG

Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we're committed to making DLG a truly inclusive place to work. We recognise and embrace that people work in different ways and we'll always adapt as much as possible so you have the best and most comfortable working environment that we can offer.

We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, can bring real potential to DLG. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support you!

Collectively we help every business within our group aim higher. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder to stand out in the market, we want to be an insurance company of the future. And with so many areas to choose from, your ambitions are welcome here. See your opportunity to start a career that's varied, distinct and exciting.

Visit directlinegroupcareers.com