Category Manager

Encirc Ltd; Chester; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave package

Onsite gym

Pension scheme 7%

Life cover

Cycle to work

Discount platform

Onsite staff restaurant

Free parking

Job summary

Encirc Ltd is seeking a Category Manager to lead procurement across the designated category. This permanent, full-time role offers responsibility for strategy, supplier negotiations, and team leadership across Encirc’s UK sites.

You will manage a spend portfolio and drive value, with accountability for contracts, supplier performance, and cross-functional collaboration to support production demands at Derrylin, Elton (Cheshire) and Bristol.

Qualifications

• Degree level or professional qualification in procurement/supply chain is preferred.
• Proven purchasing experience in manufacturing environment.
• Experience developing and implementing best value strategies.
• Contract management experience and supplier relationships management.
• Strong negotiating and project leadership capabilities.
• Experience with ERP systems e.g. SAP and Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement activities within the relevant category and manage the category team.
• Negotiate and manage supplier contracts in line with strategy and KPIs.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships; monitor performance against KPIs.
• Ensure materials are delivered to Encirc sites to meet production demand.
• Escalate day-to-day supply challenges and coordinate with Head of Category.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Purchasing experience

Manufacturing industry

Value-driven strategies

Contract management

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation skills

Project leadership

ERP systems (SAP)

Excel proficiency

Education

Degree or professional qualification in procurement/supply chain

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

£48,000 to £65,000 per hour, Competitive

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full time

Disability Confident:

No

Closing Date:

20/11/2026

About this job

Category Manager | Permanent | £48,000- £65,000 | Can be based at either of our sites

Days based-Mon-Thurs 08.00-
17.00 Fri 08.00-
14.30-
38.75 hours per week The Category Manager will be responsible for managing and leading the overall procurement activities in the relevant category, including managing and developing the category team.

Reporting into the Head of Category, the Category Manger will advance Encirc’s procurement strategy in the relevant category, negotiating contractual and commercial agreements with suppliers, developing supplier relationships and managing supplier performance against agreed KPIs.

Responsible for the overall management of the category, including management of the wider category team.

Negotiating and managing supply contracts in alignment with overall category and business strategy, as well as r esponsible for a portfolio spend in the range of £10m-£40m.Be the escalation point for day-to-day supply challenges and elevate to Head of Category as relevant, and to ensure materials are delivered to site to satisfy production demand at all Encirc plants, where relevant The Key Requirements Degree level or professional qualification preferably in procurement / supply chain Proven purchasing experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment Experience of developing and implementing best value strategies Contract management experience Supplier relationship management experience Strong negotiating skills with experience working for a fast-paced and diverse matrix organisation Proven ability to lead projects, successfully resolving issues and utilising internal network and relationships to reach solutions.

Experience of ERP systems (preferably SAP) and comfortable working with spreadsheets (Excel). Ability to provide expert advice to the team and colleagues across the organisation Benefits: Annual leave package Free onsite gym for all employees MyBenefits Reward Platform with100s of discounts at restaurants and retailers Employee Well-being benefits such as the Employee Assistance Programme Pension scheme where the company contributes up to a maximum of 7% Life cover at 3 timesyour annual salary Optional partner life cover Subsidised onsite staff restaurant Free parking onsite Salary sacrifice Electric car scheme Subsidisedonsiteelectric car charging Cycle to work scheme Enhance maternity and paternity leave Liftshare scheme Health cash plan Optional dental insurance Optional Private Medical Insurance Optional critical illness cover Social club About the company At Encirc, we make, fill and move glass.

Part of the Vidrala group, we are a market leader in glass container design, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions for the UK, Irish and European food and beverages industries.

With over 2,000 employees, we operate from our three purpose-built sites: Derrylin, Co Fermanagh; Elton, Cheshire and Bristol.

We produce around 3 billion glass bottles and other containers annually and can fill up to 500 million litres of bulk shipped beverages every year.

Our collective purpose is to deliver and uphold world-leading sustainable innovation, with great people and a great workplace collaborating on a great future.

Joining Encirc means you will be joining a business with a bespoke, 360-approach to the beverage supply chain, spanning filling, warehousing, and logistics.

Reducing the road miles and carbon footprint of our customers' products, we are conscious disruptors prioritising sustainability and modern technology.

As a forward-thinking and sustainable business, we are committed to achieving zero emissions by 2030. Our Values At Encirc, we’re proud to be a forward‑thinking manufacturer in a world that’s increasingly socially and environmentally conscious.

Our culture is built around six core values that sit at the heart of everything we do.

They guide how we work, how we make decisions, and how we support one another—helping us create a workplace where everyone can thrive.

These values aren’t just words on a wall; they’re lived, shared and championed across the business, shaping our mindset and inspiring us to keep making Encirc great for everyone.

Equal Opportunities Encirc is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Every applicant will be evaluated according to skills regardless of age, gender, identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.

We also want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to everyone.

That’s why we have partnered with Recite Me to offer an accessibility toolbar on our job search page, recruitment application system and website.

The toolbar includes screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customisable styling options and an on-demand live translation feature that boasts over 100 languages including 65 text-to-speech and styling options.

It’s a quick, helpful overview of how you can use AI to support your application—and where it’s best to rely on your own experience and personality.