Category Specialist

About M&G India

We are M&G India, the strategic innovation and digital hub for M&G. Established in 2003, we have offices in Mumbai and Pune.

Our teams work closely with colleagues across the Group worldwide to drive transformation, build digital capability, and support sustainable growth. By leveraging technology, AI, automation, and process excellence, we bring new ways of thinking to improve outcomes for both customers and colleagues.

Grounded in a vibrant culture with strong foundations, we are central to how M&G is transforming as a business.

About M&G

Our purpose is to give everyone real confidence to put their money to work. With a heritage dating back more than 175 years, we have a long history of innovation in savings and investments, combining asset management and insurance expertise to offer a wide range of solutions.

Our two distinct operating segments, Asset Management and Life, work together to provide access to balanced, long-term investment and savings solutions.

Through telling it like it is, owning it now, and moving it forward together with care and integrity; we are creating an exceptional place to work for exceptional talent.

Context-

Procurement is at the start of a transformation, moving from a business unit-aligned, transaction-heavy model to a category-led, strategically capable operation. The function is building deep, market-leading expertise in its key spend categories, bringing insight, challenge and commercial leadership to M&G. This role is part of that shift and works within the [add category here] category, supported by colleagues in the UK and the India Procurement capability centre.

Key Responsibilities -

Sourcing and Commercial Delivery-

· Deliver assigned elements of the category plan for Technology category applying market insight and commercial analysis within the strategy set by the Category Manager.

· Independently plan and run assigned RFI, RFP and competitive tender processes within agreed scope, governance and delegated authority, using the group’s eSourcing tooling.

· Interpret spend analysis, supplier proposals, rate-card comparisons and total-cost-of-ownership models to develop clear commercial recommendations.

· Lead delegated renewals and negotiations and support the Category Manager on complex, high-value or strategically significant negotiations.

· Contribute to preferred supplier frameworks, normalised rate cards and commercial standards within the category.

· Identify opportunities to challenge specifications, consumption, scope and demand and develop evidence-based recommendations for stakeholder consideration.

Savings and Value Delivery

· Identify, quantify and deliver savings and broader value opportunities across assigned Technology category activity.

· Develop robust benefit calculations in line with the agreed Finance methodology and maintain accurate pipeline records.

· Track and evidence realised benefits, working with the Category Manager and Finance to support validation and recognition.

· Escalate risks to delivery and recommend corrective commercial action.

Stakeholder and Supplier Engagement

· Build effective working relationships with business stakeholders and act as the day-to-day commercial lead for assigned sourcing activity.

· Present evidence-based sourcing and commercial recommendations, escalating material decisions or exceptions to the Category Manager.

· Manage supplier engagement through sourcing exercises, including briefings, clarifications, presentations and commercial discussions.

· Partner with vendor management and performance teams on commercial interventions, while ongoing supplier performance ownership remains with the relevant business or vendor-management owner.

Governance, Digital and Ways of Working

· Apply procurement standards, sourcing methodology, delegated authority and governance consistently across assigned activity.

· Ensure sourcing, renewal and supplier activity is recorded accurately in procurement systems and eSourcing tools.

· Support compliance with third-party risk management, contract management and regulatory requirements, working with TPRM, Legal and business owners while specialist functions retain their respective decisions.

· Work effectively across the UK and India teams, sharing knowledge and applying consistent category and sourcing methods.

· Use analytics, automation, eSourcing and approved AI capabilities to improve analysis, sourcing productivity and quality, validating outputs before use.

· Guide Category Analysts on assigned analysis and sourcing-support activities, reviewing outputs and providing developmental feedback where required.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Educational Qualification

Knowledge & Skills:

Confidence & excellent communication

Experience:

Essential Experience-

· Relevant experience in procurement, sourcing or category delivery, ideally within indirect spend.

· Working knowledge relevant to Technology category , or transferable knowledge of a comparable spend area.

· Experience independently delivering sourcing activity, preparing tender documentation, evaluating supplier responses and developing recommendations.

· Experience supporting or leading negotiations within delegated authority.

· Strong analytical capability, able to interpret spend and commercial information and convert it into actionable recommendations.

· Able to bring structure, pace and discipline to assigned workstreams in a changing environment.

Desirable Experience

· Experience in a regulated environment, such as financial services or insurance.

· Familiarity with eSourcing platforms, procurement analytics, automation and digital sourcing methodology.

· Experience working across UK and India or within a global delivery model.

Behaviours and Attributes-

· Curious and commercially minded, keen to deepen category and market knowledge.

· Analytical and detail-focused, with high standards of output and sound judgement.

· Collaborative and dependable, comfortable working directly with stakeholders and suppliers.

· Adaptable and self-directing in a transforming function.

· Confident using new technology and approved AI capabilities responsibly.

Educational Qualification:

Graduate in any discipline.

Masters in any discipline

We have a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture at M&G Global Services, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability or long term condition, we are looking to attract, promote and retain exceptional people. We also welcome those who take part in military service and those returning from career breaks.