Category Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave package

Free onsite gym

Pension 7%+

Life cover

Job summary

Encirc is seeking a Category Manager to lead procurement activities across the relevant category. You will develop the category strategy, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier performance to meet KPIs.

The role involves leading a category team and ensuring timely delivery of materials to Encirc sites. The position offers day-based hours (Mon-Thurs 08:00-17:00, Fri 08:00-14:30) and can be based at Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, or Elton, Cheshire.

Qualifications

• 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 in a fast-paced matrix organisation.
• Proven ability to lead projects and resolve issues using internal networks.
• Experience of ERP systems (preferably SAP) and comfortable with Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage procurement activities for the relevant category.
• Develop and execute category strategy; manage supplier performance against KPIs.
• Negotiate and manage supply contracts aligned with category and business strategy.
• Lead the category team and act as escalation point for day-to-day supply challenges.
• Ensure materials are delivered to site to satisfy production demand across Encirc plants.
• Manage portfolio spend in the range of £10m-£40m.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Negotiation

SAP

Contract management

Supplier management

Excel

Education

Degree in procurement / supply chain

Tools

SAP

Job description

Permanent | £48,000- £65,000 | Can be based at either of our sites - Derrylin Co Fermanagh, OR Elton, Cheshire.

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 responsible 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.