Global Category Manager

Embrace Talent Consulting; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in Glasgow seeks a Head of Category Management to strategize across global procurement. This leadership role includes developing category strategies, managing supplier performance, and leading a team. The candidate should have extensive experience in strategic procurement, strong negotiation skills, and ideally CIPS/MCIPS qualifications. Benefits include a competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements, with opportunities for significant impact during the company's growth phase.

Benefits

Excellent salary and benefits package

Qualifications

• Solid experience in strategic procurement/category management in a global environment.
• Strong track record in commercial/contractual negotiation.
• Experience working with global supply bases.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global category strategies.
• Lead strategic sourcing including benchmarking and supplier evaluation.
• Manage supplier performance frameworks and team development.

Skills

Strategic procurement

Contractual negotiation

Commodity risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPS / MCIPS or equivalent

Degree-level education in engineering/science/business

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Head of Category Management - Hybrid Working - Glasgow

I'm delighted to be partnering with a fast-growing manufacturing organisation that is investing significantly in its global procurement capability as it scales worldwide.

As part of this transformation, they are appointing a Head of Category Management to lead and shape global category strategy across a complex, multi-site operation. This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of an exciting growth phase, responsible for driving strategic sourcing, elevating supplier performance, delivering sustainable cost optimisation, and partnering with key suppliers on innovation across a global footprint.

With up to 30% global travel, you’ll manage categories on a business-wide basis, creating strategies that improve day‑to‑day performance and back the wider growth plan. You’ll work closely with business stakeholders across Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering / Technical and Commercial to make sure Procurement delivers tangible value and supports the business to scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global category strategies aligned to business priorities and market dynamics
• Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing : benchmarking, supplier evaluation, negotiation and implementation
• Build strong internal stakeholder relationships and influence decision‑making across functions and regions
• Monitor global supply markets to identify cost drivers, risks and opportunities early
• Manage supplier performance frameworks (KPIs, SLAs, compliance, continuous improvement)
• Lead, mentor and develop a small team of Buyers and category specialists.

Skills and Experience

• Solid experience in strategic procurement / category management within a global or multi‑site environment
• Strong track record of commercial and contractual negotiation, including alternative sourcing
• Confident handling commodity risk and market volatility, running multiple sourcing programmes in parallel
• Experience of working with a global supply base.

Qualifications

• CIPS / MCIPS (or working towards) or equivalent senior procurement experience
• degree‑level education desirable (engineering / science / business preferred)
• ERP exposure beneficial

If you’re a proven global category leader who thrives in ambitious, change‑driven environments and wants the platform to make a visible enterprise‑wide impact, this is a standout opportunity.

In return you will receive an excellent salary & benefits package aligned with the scope of the role.