Job Description
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Associated British Ports (ABP) is the UK's leading port operator, with a network of 21 ports across England, Scotland, and Wales. Our ports handle around a quarter of the country's seaborne trade, contributing £7.5 billion to the UK economy each year. ABP is pivotal in facilitating trade and transportation, connecting businesses and communities both locally and globally.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability. Our operations encompass a diverse range of activities, from managing cargo and passenger traffic to providing port services and logistics solutions. ABP is dedicated to creating a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible port environment, ensuring the highest standards of service for our customers.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Procurement Category Specialist with a focus on Capital Expenditures (CapEx) and Operational Expenditures (Opex). This role is instrumental in driving the strategic sourcing and procurement activities for ABP, ensuring that we achieve cost efficiencies while maintaining the highest quality standards.
This is a group role but will be Humber based in either Hull or Immingham alongside hybrid working, with a requirement to be in the office 3 days per week.
As a Procurement Category Specialist, you will be responsible for developing and implementing category strategies that align with ABP's overall business objectives. You will work closely with various internal stakeholders, including finance, functional and regional management teams, to understand their needs and translate them into effective procurement solutions. Your expertise will help us optimise our supplier base, negotiate favourable contracts, and manage key supplier relationships.
This role requires a proactive approach to market analysis, risk management, and performance tracking. You will stay informed about industry trends, supplier capabilities, and competitive pricing to ensure that ABP remains at the forefront of procurement best practices. Your contributions will directly impact our ability to operate efficiently and sustainably, supporting our long-term growth and success.
Accountabilities
- Develop and implement category strategies, sourcing and contract management projects, and supplier relationship management that support business performance and cost reduction targets.
- Lead strategic sourcing projects aligned to category strategies to put in place best value Group contracts.
- Identify opportunities to increase compliance of regional and functional teams using Group contracts.
- Effectively implement a defined and agreed work plan.
- Review and update contracts, including service level agreements and key performance indicators.
- Monitor and evaluate supplier performance covered by category strategies.
- Ensure category strategies deliver high levels of transactional efficiency and support P2P targets.
- Develop and implement the contract management process to realise maximum benefit from the category activity with reviews of business usage and contract compliance, and provide insight through the analysis of spend, contract metrics, supply markets and savings.
- Provide specialist advice and guidance on leading procurement practice to internal business partners.
- Lead the business in identification, assessment and management of potential risks associate with differing sourcing and contract management strategies for assigned categories of spend
- Ensure all category spend complies with the Group Procurement policy
Skills, experiences, qualifications and competencies
- Knowledge and experience of delivering procurement projects including; business engagement, procurement strategy, strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, contract performance management and supplier relationship management, across a range of spend categories.
- Highly commercial, analytical and innovative in their thinking.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and relational abilities.
- Relevant professional qualification and professional body membership ideally CIPS or RICS or similar equivalent.
- Strong drive for continuous improvement, self-starter who can work independently – never satisfied with the status quo.
- Excellent IT skills in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Ideal
- Knowledge and experience of procurement under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 or Public Contract Regulations 2015.
- An understanding of Project management and Asset management principles and process
- Experience of managing various forms of contract.
- Experience of sourcing systems and purchase to pay modules in an Enterprise Resource Planning system, ideally SAP.
Additional Information:
When joining ABP, we offer a competitive salary, contributory pension from day one (Starting at 3% employee contribution with 5% company match), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, 27 days annual leave with the option to purchase additional days leave. A wide range of discounts and cash back with high street and online retailers. We offer an inclusive work environment with an in-house training academy which offers ongoing opportunities to develop your skills.
Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.
We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.
Job Segment: Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Buyer, Supply, Operations