Principal Category Procurement Manager

As a Principal Category Procurement Manager for Technology at AllPoints Fibre, you'll be at the helm of our strategic procurement efforts, driving efficiency and innovation across our technology categories. You'll craft and implement dynamic category strategies alongside the Head of Category Procurement, forge strong supplier relationships, and ensure we stay compliant with procurement policies within your category.

We are looking for someone who has experience working as a subject matter expert in technology, particularly within software. The successful candidate will be expert in leading sourcing events, negotiating with suppliers, and maintaining high-performance standards. You'll be the go-to person for ensuring our procurement processes are fully functional and fit for purpose so knowledge of the software sector is essential.

This is the perfect opportunity for a proactive leader who is passionate about optimizing procurement processes and making a significant impact.

What you will be doing:

1. Innovative Sourcing: Lead both strategic and tactical sourcing events, leveraging supplier and industry analysis, benchmarks, and cost structure analysis to drive fact-based negotiations. Ensure high levels of process compliance and internal customer satisfaction.
2. Strategic Supplier Management: Define and execute supplier management strategies, aligning with Group procurement. Collaborate with the CCM team to manage key supplier relationships, ensuring optimal performance and value.
3. P2P Strategy Execution: Implement and manage the P2P (Purchase-To-Pay) strategy for locally managed sub-categories, ensuring compliance with APFN P2P standards. Drive efficiency and standardization across buying channels, content strategy, and compliance checks.
4. KPI Achievement: Deliver on KPI targets, including savings through strategic sourcing, tailored to local stakeholder needs.
5. Data and Contract Management: Maintain vendor master data in NetSuite and a centralized contract repository. Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of approved suppliers and active contracts.
6. Team Collaboration: Provide administrative support to the Procurement Team, fostering a culture of open collaboration, communication, and service excellence. Ensure even distribution of tasks and regular status updates to line management.
7. Compliance and Risk Management: Support compliance initiatives and risk management activities related to OFCOM & TSA compliance, ISO Accreditations, H&S, data protection, information security, and financial controls.
8. Strategy Implementation: Collaborate with the Head of Category Procurement and internal stakeholders to design and implement forward-thinking procurement strategies aligned with company goals and values.
9. Process Performance and Continuous Improvement: Analyse procurement performance reports, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations. Enhance governance, controls, and risk mitigation within the procurement function.
10. Technology Integration: Support the implementation and optimization of procurement systems and technologies. Ensure seamless data flow and information management, driving digital transformation within procurement.
11. Supplier Governance and Relationship Management: Develop and maintain best-in-class supplier governance and risk management practices. Foster strong supplier relationships, ensuring smooth operations and compliance with internal governance standards.
12. Team Leadership and Development: Provide line management support, balancing workloads and fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture. Guide junior team members in professional growth and performance management.
13. Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the focal point for buying and supplier onboarding activities. Build effective cross-functional relationships with finance, legal, operations, and senior management. Communicate procurement policies and manage stakeholder expectations.

About you:

• CIPS Level 4 qualified
• Expert in the software category
• Experience in Telecoms/Networks industry preferable
• Experience of integrated financial controls a benefit
• NetSuite and Gatekeeper experience
• Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment within Fixed (FTTX) Telecoms space
• Strong and effective decision-making capacity
• Effective at interpreting complex and multiple sources of information to make decisions and SLT/Board recommendations
• Strong programme management skills alongside Business Partners

The benefits at APF...

At AllPoints Fibre, we're all about looking after you. We offer an extensive wellbeing package that goes beyond the EAP. Your benefits will include Bupa private medical insurance and dental cover, income protection insurance, group life insurance and a health plan to help with day to day expenses such as eye care... we will even pay for you to get a massage!

Everyone needs a break now and then, right? That's why we start all our employees off with a generous 30 days' annual leave allowance (pro rata), plus bank holidays. And if you ever need some extra time off due to illness or parental leave, we've got enhanced leave plans in place to support you through that.

Additionally we know how important it is to feel secure with your finances. That's why we have benefits dedicated to your financial wellbeing. You will be able to join our employer contributory pension and in addition to income protection insurance, group life insurance we offer cashback and voucher schemes to help cover living cost such as electricals and personal spending.

About us:

Established in 2021, AllPoints Fibre has grown from regional roots in Jurassic Fibre, Giganet and Swish Fibre, to establish a national wholesale network.

APFN is now a leading wholesale provider of full-fibre broadband solutions, dedicated to transforming the digital landscape by delivering ultra-fast, dependable, and affordable internet services to businesses and homes across the UK. We are committed to providing exceptional customer service, creating innovative products and services whilst leading through sustainability.

We have set ourselves the goal to become the best place to work, we recognise that our people are at the heart of what we do - join us on our journey to become the UK’s most recommended way to connect!

Next steps

If the role sounds like the right fit for you, we look forward to seeing your application! If shortlisted, our Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to set up an initial conversation. Next stages will involve meeting with our hiring teams to discuss the role and your experience in more details.
One last thing...

AllPoints Fibre value diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees. Help us create a secure, inclusive digital world where diversity fuels innovation; your vision, your voice, and your skills have a place here!

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made during your interview process, please tell us in your application.