Procurement Category Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The Procurement Category Specialist supports broad category management and supports ongoing contracting activities within the Procurement & Vendor Management function. The Analyst partners closely with Category Managers and the wider business, delivering data-driven insights, category performance analysis, and reporting to optimize third-party vendor spend, contract utilization, and sourcing outcomes. This role applies structured data analysis, reporting, and category intelligence to inform vendor strategy, sourcing decisions, contract negotiations, and compliance monitoring. The Analyst partners closely with the Contracts Manager to support contract lifecycle management activities, vendor performance tracking, sourcing initiatives, and system-enabled procurement processes. This position operates independently within organizational frameworks and contributes analytical expertise, insights, and structured recommendations that enhance procurement efficiency, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and stakeholder alignment.

The role may be based in eligible jurisdictions in the UK and reports to the Contracts Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Category Management & Spend Analytics

• Analyze vendor spend data to identify trends, cost drivers, consolidation opportunities, and risk exposures.
• Support development and execution of category plans aligned with organizational sourcing and procurement strategy.
• Monitor category performance metrics and provide regular dashboards to the Contracts Manager and leadership.
• Conduct horizon scanning to identify market developments, pricing trends, and emerging supplier risks.
• Contribute analytical input to sourcing events, RFP evaluations, and vendor selection processes.

Insights, Reporting & Data Exploration

• Independently collate, cleanse, analyze, and interpret procurement and contract data using established tools and methodologies.
• Develop standardized and ad hoc reports related to contract utilization, renewal timelines, compliance, and vendor performance.
• Create visual dashboards and executive-ready summaries that translate complex data into actionable insights.
• Support forecasting, benchmarking, and cost modeling efforts to inform negotiations and strategic sourcing decisions.
• Maintain data integrity within procurement systems and reporting databases.

Contract Lifecycle & Vendor Support

• Provide analytical support for contract negotiations by preparing financial summaries, usage analyses, and benchmarking insights.
• Track contract milestones, renewal dates, and performance metrics in partnership with the Contracts Manager.
• Assist in monitoring vendor compliance, service levels, and contractual obligations.
• Support outsourced contract management activities with data reporting and performance tracking.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding procurement processes, contract status, and vendor data.

Process Optimization & Systems Support

• Identify process inefficiencies and recommend workflow improvements within the S2P lifecycle.
• Support contract management system reporting and data governance.
• Assist in documentation of procurement procedures, policies, and analytics standards.
• Contribute to development of dashboards, KPI frameworks, and compliance reporting structures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Economics, Data Analytics, or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, category management, finance, data analytics, or contract operations.
• Experience working with procurement or contract management systems preferred.
• Experience supporting vendor negotiations or sourcing initiatives is advantageous.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency including:
  • Pivot tables
  • Complex formulas (INDEX/MATCH or XLOOKUP, nested IF, SUMIFS)
  • Data cleansing and transformation
  • Basic financial modeling

Must have strong working understanding of:

• Data analysis and interpretation
• Trend analysis and variance analysis
• KPI and dashboard reporting
• Data validation and integrity controls
• Translation of raw procurement data into visual executive summaries
• Automation of recurring reporting where possible
• Total cost of ownership (TCO) concepts
• Budget tracking and variance reporting
• Basic cost modeling
• Service agreements vs. goods contracts structures
• Pricing models (fixed fee, time & materials, subscription, milestone-based)

Required working knowledge of at least one of the following:

• Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems
• Procure-to-Pay (P2P) or Source-to-Pay (S2P) platforms
• ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Workday Financials, Coupa, Ariba)
• Vendor management systems

• Contract metadata fields
• Renewal tracking
• Supplier performance reporting
• Spend categorization

Required experience creating reports or dashboards using:

• Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent BI tool
• OR advanced Excel reporting models

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Energy to put in the hours of concentrated work necessary to achieve goals while maintaining a positive attitude

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional travel to CFA Institute meetings or conferences possible

LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

• Strategic - Connects ideas, resources and processes, with an outside-in perspective, to define winning solutions; employs a broad, global perspective and digital mindset to disrupt and transform
• Courageous -- Actively listens, asks questions, develops an independent conclusion and is willing to challenge the popular view for the betterment of the organization
• Authentic -- Reflects one's true self in all situations; clearly says what they mean and does what they say they will do
• Talent magnet -- Understands a candidate/employee's capabilities and matches those to the appropriate role/assignment; seeks out diversity of thought and experience; invests in development; mentors and coaches for success; builds and rewards high functioning teams
• Growth mindset -- Learns and grows through experimentation and failure; embraces challenges with persistence and resilience; demonstrates a willingness to risk failure and sees it as a key learning opportunity
• Accountable -- Understands role and takes full ownership of their own, their team's, and the organization's success or failure; achieves efficient, timely, quality results through the effective leadership of others
• Agile - Navigates complexity, challenges and ambiguity with confidence; creates an environment of learning to drive optimal outcomes; employs a continuous improvement mindset; encourages rapid, flexible response to change

About CFA Institute

CFA Institute are the global leader in investment excellence and ethics. With nearly 200,000 charterholders across 160 markets, we drive professional growth, ethical behavior, and better markets. We care about our employees' well-being, offering industry-leading benefits like:

• Comprehensive health coverage for you and your family
• Generous leave and time off
• Competitive retirement plans
• Flexible work options
• Wellness, education, and support programs

If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to click "Apply" and complete our three-minute application.

Be part of a team committed to putting investors first and growing economies. Follow us @CFAInstitute on LinkedIn and X.

Important Message: Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements as CFA Institute cannot make assumptions about your education, experience, or location. We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. CFA Institute prohibits both discrimination and harassment with regard to all identifying characteristics: any individual employee, group of employees, or prospective employee on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, creed or belief, age, marital or partnership status, marital or family status, care giver status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, physical abilities/qualities, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, predisposing genetic characteristic, military or veteran status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence or sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, infectious disease carrier status, migrant worker status, educational background, socio-economic status, geographic location and culture or any other basis protected by applicable law. This policy impacts all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, development, promotion, demotion, layoff, recall, furlough, transfer, leave of absence, and dismissal. This is a global policy that applies to all CFA Institute employees, regardless of location.

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