Category Manager - Resin

IPL Schoeller; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sustainable packaging company located in Wolverhampton is seeking a Resin Category Manager to drive strategic sourcing and implement resin strategies across European sites. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring continuous improvement while aligning with the company’s sustainability goals. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven track record in cost management and stakeholder collaboration. Apply today to make a real difference!

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and implementing resin strategies.
• Proven track record in stakeholder collaboration across functions.
• Knowledge of supplier relationship and risk management principles.
• Ability to define and monitor KPIs effectively.
• Experience in cost management and budget oversight.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and sustainability efforts.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement end-to-end resin strategies across European sites.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure resin strategy execution.
• Build resilient supply networks through strategic partnerships.
• Define and monitor site-specific KPIs to measure success.
• Manage category budget and implement cost control measures.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with sustainability goals.
• Provide leadership to on-site supply chain team members.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Stakeholder collaboration

Supplier relationship management

KPI management

Cost management

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Job description

Who we are

On July 1, 2025, IPL Plastics merged with Schoeller Allibert to form IPL Schoeller (the ‘company’). The Company’s operations are split across North America (11 manufacturing plants) and Europe (16 manufacturing plants). The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

IPL Schoeller is a leading manufacturer of sustainable rigid packaging solutions across a range of end market segments including returnable transit packaging, consumer and industrial packaging, environmental containers and agricultural packaging. The company employs c.4,100 employees across North America (1,600 employees) and Europe (2,500 employees).

Sustainability is essential to the long-term success of our business. As a packaging company that develops plastic-based solutions for our customers, it is imperative that we meet the customer needs while being mindful of our operational impacts and the need to preserve our planet. We are committed to running our business responsibly and in ways that drive environmental, social and economic value for our stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, employees and local communities.

The role

• Strategic Sourcing and Resin Strategy -The Resin Category Manager is responsible for developing and implementing end-to-end resin strategies related to virgin and recycle materials across European sites. Ensuring alignment with global organizational objectives and maximize business impact by reducing costs, improving efficiencies, and driving commercial alignment.
• Stakeholder Collaboration - Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, commercial, and on-site supply chain managers, ensures consistent execution of the resin strategy. The manager works to integrate these strategies into the long-term business plan while fostering a cohesive approach across the organization.
• Supplier Relationship and Risk Management - Building resilient supply networks through strategic partnerships is a core responsibility. The manager works closely with the Procurement Director to understand and mitigate risks within the supply chain, ensuring continuity of operations and supporting company growth, including mergers and acquisitions.
• Performance and KPI Management - Defining and monitoring KPIs on a site-specific basis is essential to measure the success of short-, medium-, and long-term plans. Regular progress updates and data-driven insights are communicated across organizational levels to ensure alignment and accountability.
• Cost Management and Budget Oversight - Managing the category budget involves monitoring expenses, analyzing variances, and implementing corrective actions to ensure cost control and financial target adherence. Additionally, the manager identifies opportunities to reduce costs, improve processes, and enhance service levels within the supply chain function.
• Continuous Improvement and Sustainability - Driving continuous improvement is a key focus, with efforts to identify opportunities to incorporate environmentally sustainable material practices, aligning with the company's sustainability goals.
  
• Leadership and Communication - Providing leadership to on-site supply chain team members and fostering high-performing teams is integral to delivering continuous improvement and cost reductions. Strong communication across teams facilitates the exchange of information, enabling effective implementation of changes and improvements that add value across the organization

If you have the above experience and are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, apply today to find out more!