POS and VM Category Lead

The POS and Visual Merchandising Lead is responsible for the execution of a category management approach across the whole of the John Lewis Contract for ITG.
Managing a specified portfolio of POS print and visual merchandising procurement within retail stores specifically, with a focus on compliance, driven efficiencies, risk mitigation, and a reduction in the total cost of ownership for the group. The Category Lead is responsible for conducting internal and external analyses and engaging effectively with stakeholders to determine optimum sourcing strategies.

The Category Lead will liaise with the Commercial Director on a regular basis to provide updates on category performance and provide additional insight through reporting and commentary as required. They will manage the relationships with suppliers and monitor supplier performance and interface with the Business to understand demand for and the impact of sourcing activities.

This role will be working remotely, but with regular travel to John Lewis Partnership + ITG sites in Bracknell, London and Birmingham, so flexibility around travel is important.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the development and delivery of category strategies are aligned with corporate and business unit strategies and value drivers.
• Develop and foster relationships with stakeholders, technical specialists, print and VM suppliers, collaborative bodies, and marketplace forums.
• Conduct category management in accordance with the overall GNFR procurement strategy, processes, and procedures.
• Ensure category management delivers against targets and objectives (such as cost avoidance/reduction and total cost of ownership/quality improvements).
• Maintain and lead an expert level of knowledge of the POS print and visual merchandising supply chain, driving continuous improvement activities.
• Manage Tender lifecycles from supplier pre-selection through to ongoing SRM, but also comfortable with tactical negotiations.
• Develop routes to procurement based on market developments and changes to service requirements and develop clear service specification documents that enable the best service provision fit.
• Responsible for analysing the spend per category to detail opportunities such as savings, strategic importance to the organisation, level of risk, or to simply identify any lack of compliance with the category plan.
• Accountable for measuring, analysing, and managing the supplier's ability to comply with and exceed their contractual obligations. This will include regular reviews throughout the duration of contract delivery.

Requirements

• Broad knowledge of POS print and visual merchandising markets and various aspects of the products, solutions, and services.
• Good understanding and experience of Category Management and its implementation.
• Minimum of 3 years procurement experience in a similar industry would be advantageous.
• CIPS qualification preferred but not essential.
• Ability to influence people outside own sphere of responsibility.
• Advanced negotiation skills.
• Highly numerate.

Benefits

Work’s a treat!

On top of a competitive salary, you can expect a whole load of perks:

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays – we understand the importance of you getting some down time.

• Annual Wellbeing Day – enjoy an additional day on us to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.

• Pension Scheme – helping you save towards your retirement home in the sun!

• Corporate Medical Cash Plan – claim back the cost of your medical treatments.

• Smart Working Options – spend up to 40% of your working week from home.

• So many savings – through our online community platform, you can access dozens of daily deals, from money off top brands to discounts on days out.

• Employee Assistance Programme – our people are at the heart of everything we do, so if you’re happy, we’re happy.

• Cycle to Work Scheme – save on the cost of biking to work.

• Monthly Employee Awards - Employee of the Month programme with £250 bonus

• Raising money for charity including a paid Volunteer Day – we’re all about giving back… and having lots of fun in the process!

• Referral scheme – know the perfect person to join the team? You could bag £1,500 for a putting a good word in.

• Wellbeing Programme – giving you the opportunity to join regular, interactive Wellbeing Workshops or join our 30 plus Wellbeing Champions.

• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave – support for you and your family to help you navigate through the craziness of family life.

We Value Diversity

We champion and welcome diversity in our workforce and ensure all job applicants receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

We are not only committed to increasing the visibility and recognition of talent from under-represented groups within our organisation, but the wider industry too.

At the end of the day, we make sure we take time to look after ourselves, each other, and the planet, because we’re always stronger together.

ITG have a number of community groups (ERGs) available to employees which offer a safe space for like-minded colleagues, with shared interests to connect, socialise and check in with each other. These include Black ITGers Together, LGBTQ+ Together, Mens Health Together, Muslims Together, Neurodiversity Together, Working Parents and Carers Together and Women In Tech Together.

What next? If you found yourself interested in knowing more, drop us your application and someone from our team will be in touch.

#LI-DG1