Global Category Manager – HR & Professional Services

Location: Gurgaon

Reporting to: Global Head – Procurement

Role Purpose

The Global Category Manager – HR & Professional Services will be responsible for end-to-end category strategy, sourcing, and governance across HR and professional services spend, including staAing, recruitment, legal, audit, and consulting. The role will drive vendor consolidation, commercial optimisation, stronger controls, and improved compliance across regions.

This is a strategic, hands-on role requiring close partnership with HR, Finance, Legal, and business leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Planning

Develop and implement category strategies for HR and Professional Services aligned to business and cost objectives
Drive vendor consolidation and establish preferred supplier panels
Define commercial models, rate cards, and fee structures across service categories Strategic Sourcing & Contracting
Lead sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFPs, negotiations, and contract closures
Partner with stakeholders to align scope, demand, and service specifications
Ensure contracts incorporate strong commercial, SLA, compliance, and risk terms Governance & Control
Strengthen procurement oversight of SOW-based and professional services spend
Improve PO-led buying and procurement policy compliance
Support audit, risk management, and regulatory requirements Stakeholder & Supplier Management
Act as the primary procurement interface for HR and professional services stakeholders
Manage strategic supplier relationships and conduct periodic performance reviews
Resolve commercial or contractual escalations Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities for demand management, process improvement, and value creation
Support embedding of procurement controls within ERP / sourcing systems

Mandatory Criteria

Graduate / Post-graduate qualification in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, or related discipline
Minimum 8 years of experience in Procurement / Strategic Sourcing roles
Proven experience managing HR services, staAing, recruitment, or professional services categories Strong hands-on experience leading RFPs, negotiations, and service contracts
Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders (HR, Finance, Legal, business leaders)
Strong commercial and analytical capability Preferred Criteria
Experience in global or multi-region sourcing environments
Exposure to SOW-based contracting and professional services governance
Experience implementing vendor consolidation or preferred supplier models
Working knowledge of ERP / procurement systems (SAP preferred)
Background in IT/ITES, consulting, or or services-oriented organisations

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job, without regard to age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship or marital status, and to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.

Global Category Manager -HR & Professional Services