Senior Category Manager - Marketing & Corporate Services

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Category Manager - Marketing & Corporate Services

🔹 Company: OVO Energy

🔹 Location: Hub based! Bristol or London

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Utilities

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-21

🔹 Experience Level: Manager

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day per week in the office)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving sourcing strategy and plan across marketing and corporate services
• Delivering exceptional stakeholder management
• Overseeing category strategies and supplier relationships
• Ensuring procurement processes deliver maximum value

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders effectively.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Drive sourcing strategy and plan for marketing and corporate services

✅ Deliver exceptional stakeholder management to VP of Corporate Affairs & Marketing, Brand and Marketing Director, and People & Finance teams

✅ Align OVO’s supply chain to business strategy and objectives

✅ Oversee creation and execution of category strategies

✅ Foster supplier relationships and ensure procurement processes deliver maximum value

✅ Mentor and empower direct report, setting high standards and ensuring alignment with OVO’s Plan Zero ambitions

ASSUMPION: This role involves a high level of strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and category management expertise.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Not specified

Experience: At least 5 years of experience in procurement or category management, with some experience in the marketing category

Required Skills:

• Strategic thinking
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional negotiation skills
• Ability to manage supplier relationships at a strategic level
• Data-driven decision making
• Commitment to sustainability
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in procurement systems (S2P / P2P specialist software)

Preferred Skills:

• CIPS qualification (desirable)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in category management, with a focus on the marketing category, and demonstrate excellent communication and negotiation skills.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £65,000k - £80,000k + benefits package per annum

Benefits:

• On-target bonus of 15%
• Flex Pay: 9% of salary (4% auto-enrolled into pension, 5% for personal use)
• 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays)
• Healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance
• Critical illness cover, life assurance, health assessments
• Gym membership, travel insurance, workplace ISA, will writing services, dental insurance
• Extra holiday buying, discount dining, home & tech loans, charity donations
• Up to £400 towards OVO Energy plan, discounts on solar, smart thermostats, and EV chargers
• Cycle to work scheme and public transport season ticket loans
• Belonging Networks at OVO for a diverse and inclusive workplace

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is competitive for the role and industry, with a comprehensive benefits package.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Utilities, with a focus on energy and sustainability

Company Size: 5,001-10,000 employees (medium to large-sized company)

Founded: 2009, with a mission to tackle the climate crisis through sustainable energy solutions

Company Description:

• Founded in 2009, OVO Energy redesigned the energy experience to be fair, effortless, green, and simple for all customers
• Committed to being a net-zero carbon business and helping customers reduce their household emissions
• Through OVO Foundation, funds climate action and education projects for kids across the UK

Company Specialties:

• Utilities
• Energy
• Energy services
• Gas and electricity supplier
• Technology
• Renewable energy
• Electric vehicles

Company Website: https://company.ovo.com/

ASSUMPTION: OVO Energy is a well-established company in the utilities industry, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior role, with potential for team leadership and strategic influence

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Category Department Lead, with one direct report

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with one day per week in the office (Bristol or London hubs)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to lead and develop a high-performing team
• Strategic influence on OVO’s supply chain and business objectives
• Career progression within the procurement and supply team or broader OVO Energy organization

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with potential for team leadership and strategic impact.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hub-based offices in Bristol or London, with accessible spaces to park laptops and inspire collaboration

Office Location(s): 1 Rivergate Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6ED, GB; 69 Notting Hill Gate, London, England W11 3JS, GB; Glasgow, GB

Geographic Context:

• Bristol: A vibrant city in South West England, known for its cultural scene, historic sites, and green spaces
• London: The capital city of the United Kingdom, offering a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities
• Glasgow: The largest city in Scotland, with a rich history, vibrant arts scene, and diverse neighborhoods

Work Schedule: Flexible, with the expectation to be in the office at least once a week and attend OVO Connection events in-person

ASSUMPTION: The hub-based offices provide a collaborative work environment, with flexibility to work from home most of the week.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video screening
• On-site or virtual interview with hiring manager and team members
• Final round interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills and stakeholder management
• Category management expertise
• Alignment with OVO Energy’s mission and values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills, stakeholder management, and category management expertise
• Research OVO Energy’s mission, values, and culture to demonstrate your fit for the organization

ATS Keywords: Category Management, Marketing, Procurement, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Thinking, Negotiation, Sustainability, Data Analysis, Team Leadership

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate’s strategic thinking, communication skills, and category management expertise.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Procurement systems (S2P / P2P specialist software)
• Data analysis and visualization tools
• Collaboration and communication platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace)
• Project management tools

ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard for the procurement and supply industry.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Fair
• Effortless
• Green
• Simple

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Dynamic and fast-paced
• Focused on sustainability and innovation
• Data-driven and analytical

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do your personal values align with OVO Energy’s core values (Fair, Effortless, Green, Simple)?
• How do you approach working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and what strategies do you use to manage multiple priorities?
• How do you balance leadership and collaboration effectively in a team setting?

ASSUMPTION: OVO Energy values candidates who are aligned with their core values and can thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Balancing strategic thinking with day-to-day category management tasks
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ensuring alignment with OVO’s Plan Zero ambitions and sustainability goals

ASSUMPTION: This role may present challenges in managing multiple stakeholders, balancing strategic thinking with tactical tasks, and working in a fast-paced environment.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other category management positions in its focus on the marketing and corporate services categories, as well as its strategic influence on OVO’s supply chain and business objectives
• OVO Energy’s focus on sustainability and innovation sets it apart from other utilities companies
• Career progression opportunities may vary depending on the specific organization and industry

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities in the marketing and corporate services categories, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and implementing a strategic sourcing plan for marketing agencies and suppliers
• Negotiating favorable terms and long-term partnerships with key suppliers in the marketing category
• Conducting a comprehensive review of the corporate services category to identify cost savings and improved value

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and tactical aspects of the role, focusing on category management, supplier relationships, and cost optimization.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the broader procurement and supply team strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the marketing and corporate services categories, and how can this role address them?
• How does OVO Energy support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in the procurement and supply team?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will success be measured?
• How does OVO Energy foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the procurement and supply team?

ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help candidates understand the role’s strategic context, challenges, and growth opportunities, as well as OVO Energy’s approach to professional development and performance measurement.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on your problem-solving skills, stakeholder management, and category management expertise
• Research OVO Energy’s mission, values, and culture to demonstrate your fit for the organization
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within 7 days of your application, if you haven’t heard back

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.