The position of Head of Category is a new role created within procurement in support of the IHG procurement strategy. IHG Procurement is undergoing a transformation in support of Corporate objectives and the Winning Way. The incumbents will be experienced procurement directors (not development roles) and they will be expected to establish and lead cross-functional teams of stakeholders through Sourcing Management, Demand Management and Supplier Relationship Management as a structured process to deliver breakthrough results for the business. Categories will typically be $200-$600 million spend p.a. – have up to 1,000 suppliers and be complex and difficult to manage being made up of a number of associated categories each of which is in itself complex. The Head of Category is responsible for multiple categories of spend and will lead IHG and supplier management through major change to deliver breakthrough value. **Your day to day** **Strategic Leadership:** Design and implement procurement strategies tailored to the build and open hotel lifecycle phases for essentials, suites, premium brand segments in the Americas. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure procurement strategies align with broader business objectives, focusing on quality consistency, cost reduction, and speed to market. **Talent Development and Capability Building:** Recruit and lead a high-performing procurement team dedicated to optimizing strategies and maximizing owner return on investment. Utilize offshore resources and third-party partnerships to ensure cost-efficient and scalable procurement operations. **Effective Communication:** Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, clearly communicating the value and benefits of procurement programs. Act as a liaison between procurement and other departments (e.g., brands, architecture and design, hotel facing stakeholders, etc.) to ensure transparency and collaboration. **Program Management:** Develop and implement category and supplier management processes, leveraging innovative solutions to achieve measurable business results. Oversee project management initiatives to ensure timely delivery of procurement objectives in line with hotel development timelines. **Collaborative Business Partnering:** Establish and strengthen partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners to align procurement initiatives with strategic business goals. **What we need from you** + Influence & negotiation skills to collaborate with key stakeholders, internally and externally, to drive results + Mix of business understanding and deep expertise in supply chain & procurement techniques and best practices + Demonstrate strategic thinking in delivering solutions + Significant experience in managing and developing relationships. + Ability to navigate, influence and manage change in a matrix organization + Effective at identifying broader business trends and creating timely response within IHG + Experience leading cross-functional teams and engaging with senior leadership across a matrix organization + Deep strategic understanding of hospitality business and hospitality industry dynamics **Travel - up to 25% required** **Location - Our hybrid work structure is an expectation of three (3) days a week in the Atlanta office. This expectation may be adjusted to evolve with the changing needs of the business.** **The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $180,000. This role is also eligible for bonus. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401K and other benefits to employees.** \#LI-SM1 At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we work together to deliver True Hospitality for Good on a global scale. With corporate offices and over 6,000 hotel destinations worldwide, a career at IHG is the perfect way to broaden your horizons. You’ll experience our unique culture and brilliant colleagues who will support and inspire you. With a host of corporate opportunities to choose from, wherever you are on your career journey, and whatever you want to achieve there’s Room for You at IHG. Over recent years, we’ve transformed our company. We have bold ambitions to drive performance and maintain our relentless focus on growth in order to be the hotel company of choice that guests & owners love. We are a hospitality business at our core and value connections and being together helps us foster a unique sense of belonging that also supports productivity. That’s why here at IHG, we give our colleagues flexibility and balance – working in a hybrid way, blending office and remote working collectively. We recognise that every role is different, that’s why leaders work with teams to determine how and when they collaborate. We provide a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life. These include impressive room discounts across our many properties, recharge days and volunteering days throughout the year. Through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed to supporting wellbeing in your health, lifestyle, and workplace. We offer a unique and inclusive culture, where there is always Room for You to belong, grow and make a difference. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable laws. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance. Always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Don't quite meet every single requirement, but still believe you'd be a great fit for the job? We'll never know unless you hit the 'Apply' button. Start your journey with us today. **Important information** : + The salary range listed is the lowest to highest pay scale we, in good faith, believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors, including relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. + No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until it is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or other form of compensation allocable to a particular employee remain in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law. + If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process, please click here . + IHG does not accept applications, inquiries, or unsolicited CVs/resumes from staffing or recruiting agencies. Please click here for our agency policy. At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We firmly believe that all our colleagues deserve to be treated equally and have the same opportunities to develop and grow their skills within our business and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and colleagues without regard to an individual's, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or familial status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.