Category Manager (AWDO-P15079) in Birmingham)

AWD online; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

AWD online is seeking a Category Manager to join a global packaging manufacturer with European and Asian production facilities. You will manage a diverse category, work with existing suppliers and source new suppliers worldwide to support the business and its customers.

Reporting to the Head of Purchasing, you will develop category strategy, drive profitability, lead tender activities, and collaborate with internal teams to optimize costs and supplier performance.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a category within a purchasing function.
• Proven track record of cost reduction and profitability improvements.
• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness.
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute category strategy to grow sales and profitability.
• Develop category plans aligned with purchasing and commercial strategy.
• Manage annual supplier tenders and cost-saving initiatives.
• Oversee supplier base to meet objectives.
• Source new suppliers globally to support customer needs.
• Understand costs across manufacturing, materials, distribution.
• Collaborate with internal teams to drive innovation.
• Manage lifecycle of products within the category.
• Provide category expertise to internal teams and customers.
• Escalate issues within the purchasing department as needed.

Job description

Category Manager

An excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement and purchasing professional to join an award-winning, global packaging manufacturer with production facilities across Europe and South East Asia, managing a diverse category and product range while working with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers on a global basis.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Procurement Manager, Purchasing Manager, Category Buyer, Senior Buyer, Sourcing Manager, Procurement Specialist, Commercial Buyer, Buyer, Supplier Relationship Manager, Category Lead

SALARY: Competitive + Benefits

LOCATION: Birmingham, West Midlands

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent

JOB OVERVIEW

This is an exciting opportunity for a Category Manager to join an award-winning, global packaging manufacturer with production facilities across Europe and South East Asia, supplying food packaging products to major customers including McDonalds, Amazon, Marks & Spencer and Greggs.

As the Category Manager, you will join a dynamic purchasing team and autonomously manage a diverse category and product range, working with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers on a global basis to support the needs of the organisation and its customers.

The Category Manager will report to the Head of Purchasing and be supported by a team of Category Assistants, helping to develop and drive category strategy, grow sales and improve profitability across the organisation.

DUTIES

• Category Strategy: Create and execute category strategy to grow the category in terms of both sales and profitability
• Category Planning: Develop category plans in line with the wider purchasing and commercial strategy
• Supplier Tenders: Develop an annual calendar of supplier tenders and support best cost first time initiatives
• Supplier Management: Manage the supplier base to ensure the organisation is working with appropriate suppliers to deliver its objectives
• Global Sourcing: Work with existing suppliers and source new suppliers on a global basis to support the needs of the organisation and its customers
• Commercial Insight: Understand the processes and costs involved with manufacturing, raw materials, distribution and end use
• Innovation: Work with internal departments to develop new ideas and help future proof the business
• Product Lifecycle: Manage category and product lifecycle activity across the product range
• Stakeholder Support: Provide category and product expertise internally and to customers
• Issue Escalation: Act as the final point of escalation for internal stakeholder issues within the purchasing department

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

ESSENTIAL

• Experience managing a category within a purchasing function
• Results-focused approach with a successful track record in cost reduction activities
• Experienced negotiator with strong commercial awareness
• Demonstrated experience driving category strategy with clear achievements in profitability, reduced spend or increased margins
• Able to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Strong communication skills

DESIRABLE

• Experience in retail, packaging or FMCG would be a distinct advantage

JOB REF: AWDO-P15079