Global Category Lead

A leading multi-category consumer goods organisation who are looking for an experienced Global Category Lead to take ownership of a high-profile global programme focused on supplier payments, working capital and cash performance.

• Role: Global Category Lead
• Duration: 6-12 month contract
• Pay: -(Apply online only) p/day (Inside IR35 via Umbrella)
• Location: London
• Working Pattern: 3 days onsite

This is not a traditional category management role. The right person will need to operate at the intersection of Procurement and Finance, understanding how procurement decisions influence cash flow, working capital, P&L and wider business performance.

You''ll lead a global supplier payment optimisation programme, translating financial objectives into practical procurement initiatives and measurable results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a complex, global procurement transformation programme
• Set targets and create structured plans to deliver measurable financial benefits
• Drive improvements across supplier payment terms, working capital, DPO and cash generation
• Develop new procurement tools, dashboards, KPIs and performance reporting
• Translate financial objectives into actionable procurement and supplier strategies
• Lead supplier engagement and implement sustainable payment-term improvements
• Build robust governance, benefits tracking and executive reporting
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Procurement, Finance, Treasury, Legal and GBS/shared services.

Working across Procurement, Finance, Treasury, Legal and shared services, you''ll develop and deliver plans to improve supplier payment terms and working-capital performance, with success measured against OCF and DPO outcomes

Key Requirements:

• Strong experience within Procurement, transformation or complex programme delivery
• A genuine understanding of Finance and the commercial impact of procurement decisions
• Experience within Finance, Treasury, Source-to-Pay, Supplier Payments or other finance-enabled procurement programmes
• Knowledge of working capital, payment terms, DPO, cash flow and/or OCF
• Experience delivering complex, cross-functional transformation or change programmes
• Strong analytical skills and experience creating dashboards, KPIs, benefits tracking or performance reporting
• Confidence working with Finance and other senior cross-functional stakeholders
• The ability to turn strategic financial targets into structured initiatives and deliverable outcomes
• Strong supplier and stakeholder management capabilities

Rather than focusing purely on negotiation or category savings, you''ll help shape how procurement directly contributes to cash generation and working-capital performance.

If you''re a procurement professional with a strong financial mindset who enjoys transformation, data and turning ambitious targets into measurable results, apply now!