ABOUT GREYSTAR
Greystar is a leading, fully integrated global real estate platform offering expertise in property management, investment management, development, and construction services in institutional-quality rental housing. Headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, Greystar manages and operates over $350 billion of real estate in more than 260 markets globally with offices throughout North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Greystar is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, managing over one million units/beds globally. Across its platforms, Greystar has nearly $79 billion of assets under management, including over $34 billion of development assets and over $36.5 billion of regulatory assets under management. Greystar was founded by Bob Faith in 1993 to become a provider of world-class service in the rental residential real estate business. To learn more, visit www.greystar.com.
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The European Category Director will create the strategy for each category assigned to them. They will lead on benefits identification – utilizing business and market knowledge to build a pipeline of procurement activity that will deliver commercial value and service benefits across Europe.The European Category Director will determine a set of sourcing priorities each year – personally executing EU-wide / strategic tenders and directing the Procurement Managers in the delivery of market-specific procurement activity.
The European Category Director will be responsible for the management and performance of up to 3 direct reports located in the UK. The Category Director must also ensure the effective co-ordination of EU-wide sourcing initiatives by working closely with the procurement managers located outside of the UK.
The European Category Manager will act as a business partner to senior stakeholders.
The role will work closely alongside the Senior Director of European Procurement – helping to shape the future of procurement, demonstrating the value of best-in-class procurement, driving supply chain ESG initiatives and ensuring organization-wide compliance with the procurement policy.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the category strategy and sourcing activity for major spend categories
- Negotiate group-wide / strategic supplier deals and frameworks
- Manage and develop the Procurement Managers embedded in each market
- Oversee and approve the procurement activity executed by the Procurement Managers
- Track and report benefits delivery and project status (personal and team activity)
- Drive adoption of procurement best practice across markets
- Identify and drive ESG initiatives
- Support the implementation of procurement policies, processes, systems and tools across all markets
- Proactive engagement of senior stakeholders – demonstrate the value of procurement, build confidence and trust
- Shape an SRM program and manage the performance of strategic and preferred suppliers
- Support the onboarding of new assets and third party business
- Assist with the development of the procurement value proposition
- Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary for the effective performance of the role
Knowledge & Qualifications:
- University Degree in a relevant field is preferred, but not essential
- MCIPS certified
- Procurement experience (10 years minimum)
- Excellent written, numerical and communication skills
- Fluent in English, a second European language would be beneficial
- IT literate and proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook (advanced level)
Experience & Skills:
- Experience of working in Real Estate / Facilities Management / Hospitality or related industry
- At least 3 years operating at Director level - European or Global remit
- Broad category experience with deep and narrow expertise in at least one relevant category e.g. IT / indirects, FM or Capital Projects
- European sourcing experience – demonstrable knowledge of Greystar’s European markets and associated supply chains
- Proven track record delivering EBITDA-impacting procurement savings at scale
- The ability to balance commercial rigour with service outcomes
- Capable of building and developing procurement capability in an operations-led organization
- Comfortable operating through influence across a complex, multi-market business
- The ability to lead in a fast-paced environment where priorities and demand is subject to change
- Identification and delivery of ESG initiatives – reducing environmental impact, responsible procurement practices and delivering social value via the supply chain
Important Notice: Greystar will never request your banking details or other sensitive personal information during the interview process. Greystar does not conduct any interviews via text or messaging, and all communication will come from official Greystar email addresses (@greystar.com). If you receive suspicious requests, please report them immediately to [email protected].
Skills Required
- MCIPS certification
- At least 10 years of procurement experience
- Excellent written, numerical, and communication skills
- Fluent English
- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook at an advanced level
- At least 3 years operating at Director level with a European or global remit
- Broad category experience with deep expertise in at least one relevant category, such as IT, indirects, facilities management, or capital projects
- European sourcing experience and knowledge of European markets and supply chains
- Experience delivering EBITDA-impacting procurement savings at scale
- Experience building and developing procurement capability in an operations-led organization
- Experience identifying and delivering ESG initiatives through the supply chain
- University degree in a relevant field
- Second European language
- Experience in real estate, facilities management, hospitality, or a related industry
Greystar Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Greystar and has not been reviewed or approved by Greystar.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is notably generous, starting around three weeks and expanding with tenure, alongside a six‑week paid sabbatical after 10 years. Holidays and personal time add further flexibility for balance.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical coverage is a standout, including options with company‑paid or free employee‑only premiums and 100% covered in‑network preventive care. Virtual care access and mental health support broaden the offering.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) program includes an employer match described as higher than most in the industry. Retirement benefits are positioned as a core part of the total rewards package.
Greystar Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1993, Greystar provides world-class service in the residential rental housing industry. Our innovative vertically integrated business model integrates the management, development and investment disciplines of the rental housing industry on international, regional and local levels. This unique approach and our commitment to hiring the best professionals have resulted in record growth, making us one of the most respected and trusted global real estate companies. Because our vertically integrated business model includes both investment and service-oriented businesses, we’re able to maintain a constant presence in local markets and create value in all phases of the real estate cycle. Our international platform provides economies of scale, financial sophistication, institutional quality reporting and tremendous capital relationships, while our city offices provide local market expertise and execution. Supported by a global team of 28,000+ employees, Greystar’s experienced and cross-functional executive team boasts on average over 23 years of industry experience and provides a diverse perspective throughout the investment process. Over the years, Greystar has learned what’s important to people when it comes to a place to call home. That’s why we continually strive to provide beautiful living environments and innovative services that enhance the living experience. We take great pride in knowing that our homes are inviting places for residents to celebrate life’s important moments. Privacy Policy: https://www.greystar.com/privacy DMCA: https://www.greystar.com/terms-of-use#Copyright%20Infringement%20Policy
