Global Procurement Category Specialist, Third Party Operations

Diageo; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global premium drinks company is seeking a Global Market Category Specialist for Third Party Operations. This role is crucial for developing and executing procurement strategies that support growth ambitions in various global markets. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in procurement, strong analytical skills, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. The position involves collaboration across functions and strong governance to manage high-value supply chains effectively. Join us in transforming our business and enhancing our procurement capabilities.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangement

Inclusive culture and diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• Significant procurement experience, preferably within Packaging category.
• Experience in Technical and/or Supply Chain.
• Strong analytical and financial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global TPO strategy.
• Manage high-value and complex programs.
• Ensure compliance with GAR processes.

Skills

Procurement experience

Data analysis skills

Influencing skills

Understanding of manufacturing processes

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Global Market Category Specialist, Third Party Operations

Locations: Dublin, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow

Closing date: 16th January

Permanent

About us

With over 200 brands sold in nearly 180 countries, we’re the world’s leading premium drinks company. Bring your passion and use your curiosity as you explore, collaborate, and innovate to build brands consumers love. Together with passionate people from all over the world, you’ll test new ideas, learn and grow, and unlock a brighter, more exciting future.

Join us to create a career worth celebrating!

About the Function

Our Procurement team are innovators, always seeking new ways to help our business, people and much-loved brands thrive. We’re dedicated to maximising the £12 billion+ we spend every year, building brands of premium quality, while creating sustainable value and growth. Together, we’re shaping the services, partnerships and innovations that meet our future needs.

Our procurement team delivers outstanding end-to-end value across our supply chain and offers innovative supplier solutions. Together, we’re driving our 'Society 2030: Spirit of Progress' plan across suppliers and agency partners to create a more sustainable world. Wherever you choose to carve your career, we’ll support and encourage you in our inclusive culture.

About You

We are looking for an individual with a drive to be the best: an individual that engages and influences with senior leaders in the organisation, a self‑starter that builds up a global picture, someone that can help build and deliver exceptional procurement strategies to develop an exciting future platform.

About the Role

• This role will be a part of the Global Packaging Team within Global Supply Procurement.
• This role is a direct report to the Global Category Manager – Third Party Operations.
• This role is focused on Global TPO strategy development and execution – scope is global, with priority markets across Europe and LAC, as well as US and Africa.
• The portfolio spend across the markets is estimated to be c$250 m p.a. (but TBC).
• The person in this role will be responsible for partnering with a diverse set of key stakeholder relationships across Markets, Supply Chain, Strategy (Network Design), Finance, Innovation, Technical and both Regional & Global Procurement. In addition, this role interfaces with a broad range of external suppliers and industry bodies.
• This is a critical role in a high profile Category. The role will support with engagements with GMs, Category Heads and Innovation Directors to drive Diageo’s Growth ambition and support the Global RTD strategy.
• Procurement aim is to deliver value to the business by the successful development and execution of world class strategies and sourcing plans. The Category Specialist role is key to deliver against this aim.
• The TPO Procurement team’s primary focus for the role in on strategy development, and to transform the Category from local/tactical to a strategic pillar and growth enabler in Diageo’s supply chain. This requires strong governance but will also have a significant focus on execution e.g. large scale or multi‑market sourcing activity; implementation of global or pan‑regional contracts, assessment and recommendation of models including tolling, turnkey and royalties, supplier collaboration and innovation.
• This person will play a major supporting role in developing and executing the TPO strategy as it relates to Diageo’s growth ambition and will play a pivotal role in the success of our future supply chain.
• Lead the identification and management of all risks associated across the TPO portfolio.
• Ensure all compliance and GAR process are followed, tracked and reported on.

Experience, Skills & Capabilities Required

• Significant procurement experience, preferably within Packaging category.
• Experience in Technical and/or Supply Chain e.g. Brand Change & Innovation, RTM/RTC or Operations.
• Experience in multi market change and strategy projects desirable.
• Excellent data, analytics, and insight skills.
• Understanding of the category management process including Category Strategy development.
• Demonstrated performance working on programs with global cross‑functional teams, experience in delivering programs aligned to category and Procurement strategies.
• Capable of delivering great outcomes when managing high value & complex programs. Strong influencing skills with senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes, specifications and material supply chains essential.
• Strong analytical and financial awareness including an understanding of Total Cost of Ownership and end to end value delivery. Use of advanced data and analytics (cost modelling & projection) to drive best in class strategies and negotiation plans beneficial.
• Track record of generating insights to influence decision‑making; good commercial acumen.
• Ability in leading Supplier Collaboration/Supplier Relationship Management programmes desirable.

Working With Us

Flexibility is key to our success. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you so that you’re supported to manage your wellbeing and balance your priorities from day one.

Our purpose is to celebrate life, every day, everywhere. And creating an inclusive culture, where everyone feels valued and that they can belong, is a crucial part of this.

We embrace diversity in the broadest possible sense. This means that you’ll be welcomed and celebrated for who you are just by being you. You’ll be part of and help build and champion an inclusive culture that celebrates people of different gender, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, social class, educational backgrounds, experiences, approaches, and more.

Our ambition is to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products companies in the world. Join us and help transform our business as we take our brands to the next level and build new ones as part of shaping the next generation of celebrations for consumers around the world.

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

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