Category Specialist

We are looking for a Category Specialist to join our centralised Procurement team on a 12-month fixed-term contract supporting the delivery of category strategies, robust supplier management, and strong commercial outcomes across the business.

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, this role plays a key part in protecting the organisation’s interests through effective contract management, due diligence, and regulatory compliance, while optimising value through strategic sourcing and stakeholder partnership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies aligned to business objectives

• Manage supplier relationships, reviews, SLAs, and contract performance

• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activity, including complex commercial negotiations

• Review and approve third‑party commercial and outsourcing contracts

• Provide procurement and commercial advice to the business

• Identify cost efficiencies and value‑add opportunities

• Ensure compliance with TMK policies and regulatory requirements (FCA, PRA, Lloyd’s)

• Support regulatory requests and operational resilience activity

• Champion company values and responsible procurement practices

Skills & Experience

• CIPS Level 4 qualified (or working towards) or equivalent experience

• Experience in category management or strategic procurement within a complex or multinational environment, especially supporting HR and Professional Services Categories

• Strong commercial and negotiation skills

• Experience with supplier management and outsourcing contracts

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements relating to material outsourcing and operational resilience

• Experience in the use of source to contract systems, specifically Workday / Workday Strategic Sourcing, WSS experience is desirable  

• Strong communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders

• Proficient in the use of AI for analysis and general tasks

Why Join Us?

Join a collaborative procurement team with a strong strategic mandate. You’ll work closely with stakeholders across the business, shape category strategies, and play an important role in delivering compliant, value‑driven procurement outcomes.

The successful candidate will be welcomed into the TMK family to help us further our purpose of enabling our clients to fulfil their ambitions whilst benefiting society and our people. We are committed to ensuring a safe, open, inclusive and empowering environment in which all of our people can thrive. All employees have the opportunity to join one or a number of inclusion network groups or take part in CSR and charitable activities. TMK is signed up to the Disability Confident Employer Scheme and we also accommodate flexible working, subject to the TMK flexible working policy.

As an underwriting firm with over 140 years’ experience of protecting clients from changing risks we put our confidence in the ability and talent of our people. We aim to be a ‘Good Company’ and this means being a great and inclusive company to do business with and being a great place to work. Our culture is founded on our core values of empowerment, inclusion, excellence, integrity, teamwork and innovation. We seek to recruit the best talent by endeavouring to reach diverse talent pools, offering dynamic working arrangements and investing in development.

To make your experience as comfortable as possible, please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional assistance during your application process. At Tokio Marine Kiln we are here to support you, please be reassured that we will do all that we can to ensure that your specific needs are met. Please reach out to [email protected] in confidence, to discuss any specific assistance or requirements that you have.

If you encounter difficulties submitting your application, please email [email protected].

If you are interested in this vacancy and would like to apply or find out more, please follow the links to apply. You can also share this vacancy with your network using a number of social media platforms.