What is the opportunity?



As a Senior Category Manager, join the team responsible for Procurement and Partner Relations. Help Bank of Ireland improve how value is derived from its third-party spend and handle supplier risk. This is an excellent opportunity to lead strategic sourcing initiatives, influence business decision-making, and build positive relationships across the organisation and supplier community. You will work closely with senior partners to develop category strategies, deliver commercial outcomes, and support the Bank's wider business efficiency goals.




In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and ongoing management of category strategies, ensuring they align with business priorities and deliver value across the Group.


• Partner with business leaders and collaborators to identify sourcing opportunities, develop annual sourcing plans, and support commercial decision-making.


• Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including gathering requirements, leading tender processes, negotiating contracts, and supporting supplier selection.


• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive effective partner management and positive commercial outcomes.


• Monitor market developments, procurement best practice, and emerging trends while ensuring compliance with Bank policies, regulatory requirements, and procurement governance standards.

What will make you stand out?



You are a commercially minded procurement professional with experience influencing partners and delivering sourcing outcomes in a complex organisation. You enjoy building positive relationships, balancing critical thinking with practical execution, and finding opportunities to develop value.



Strong negotiation skills, sound judgement, and the ability to translate business needs into effective procurement strategies will help you succeed in this role. You'll be comfortable working with team members at different levels, communicating clearly, and navigating challenging priorities.



Experience with the following could enhance your application but is not required to apply for this role:

• Experience developing and implementing category management strategies.


• Knowledge of supplier management and procurement governance frameworks.


• Progress towards or completion of a recognised procurement accreditation such as Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), or Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (IIPMM).


• Experience working within financial services or another regulated environment.

Essential qualifications



There are no specific qualifications or minimum educational requirements needed for this role.




More about the team



Group Procurement & Partner Management is a Group-wide function responsible for Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Partner Relationship Management, Supplier Risk Management, Governance, and Procurement Services & Transformation. The team plays a meaningful role in supporting all divisions and business units across the Bank by facilitating the effective purchase of goods and services.



Working collaboratively within the organisation, the team helps improve value from supplier relationships while ensuring appropriate management of supplier risk. You will join an expert and encouraging team that values partnership, continuous improvement, and professional development.



This is a hybrid role, based primarily at Bank of Ireland, Dublin. We typically ask colleagues to spend a minimum of 8 days per month working in-person to support collaboration and connection. Specific arrangements will be confirmed by your recruiter to ensure they meet the needs of the role and team.




Why work with us



The Bank of Ireland company culture prioritises work?'life balance with a commitment to hybrid working, along with
25 days annual leave and excellent pension contributions.



Family can mean different things to different people; we offer 6 months paid maternity leave, an innovative fertility and surrogacy policy along with working parent and carer supports.



Your health and wellbeing is important to us; we offer a substantial health insurance contribution, Employee Assistance Programme, WebDoctor and financial wellbeing coaches.



We also encourage and support colleagues to pursue educational and professional qualifications to grow and enhance your career.



We support flexible working arrangements for many roles and are committed to helping colleagues balance their personal and professional commitments while delivering great outcomes for our customers and teams.




Key Competencies

• Customer Focused - Self


• Better together - People Manager


• Be Decisive - People Manager


• Manage Risk - Self


• Take Ownership - People Manager

We're on a continuous journey to build an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, lived experience, abilities and perspectives. We provide reasonable accommodations at every stage of our recruitment process for disabilities, neurodivergence or medical conditions. If you require an accommodation please complete this form and one of our recruitment team members will be in touch via email. Any information provided will be treated as confidential within the recruitment team and used only for the purpose of determining and providing appropriate accommodations for the application and recruitment process.



Where Agency assistance is required Bank of Ireland Recruitment Team will engage directly with suppliers. Unsolicited CVs / profiles supplied to Bank of Ireland by Recruitment Agencies will not be accepted for this role.




Your Journey, Our Support



We believe that embracing the perspectives of all of our employees is a value that connects us with our customers and our communities, and makes it an even better place to work. We're building an organisation that is welcoming to all, which enables our colleagues to thrive and reach their full potential.




Neurodiversity



We are on a continuous journey to build an inclusive and diverse workplace. We have recently partnered with Auticon, to improve inequalities in employment for neurodivergent adults.



Find out more




Gender Balance



Our Gender Balance Network creates an inclusive space where colleagues of all genders can connect, learn from one another, and work together to achieve our gender balance objectives.




Multicutural



We support colleagues from all backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities. We want our colleagues to feel safe, included and experience a sense of belonging.




With Pride



Our objective is to drive representation and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, promote bringing your whole self to work, and increase visibility across locations, regionals and mediums.



Read more about Inclusion & Culture




Flexible Working



We're committed to giving our colleagues the flexibility they need to thrive. Our hybrid working model is central to this approach, enabling more productive ways of working while supporting a healthier work-life balance.



For roles that offer hybrid working, we typically ask that colleagues spend a minimum of 8 days per month working in-person. Specific working arrangements will be confirmed with your recruiter to ensure they meet the requirements of the role and the team you will be joining.



Hear how flexible working has helped Helen find the balance that works for her:




Our Benefits




Every job at Bank of Ireland comes with...




Pay & Perks



Competitive pay package

Premium pension contribution

Pay reviews & profit-share scheme

Financial wellbeing coaches

Excellent healthcare contributions




Work-Life Balance



23 days annual leave

Flexible leave: buy or sell your days

6 months paid maternity leave

Fertility and surrogacy policies

Working parent and carer supports




Career Growth



Support for professional qualifications

Award-winning career framework

Clear pathways for development and progression




Hear what San San has to say:



"At Bank of Ireland there's a range of development programmes and supports. That brings fresh opportunities and the chance to futureproof my career."



To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process click the Continue to Application or Login/Register to apply button below.