Packaging Category Specialist

Primark Stores Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in Reading is seeking a Packaging Category Specialist to lead procurement strategies across categories. The role requires expertise in stakeholder management and category management, with a minimum of 5 years' experience in procurement. The ideal candidate will drive cost efficiency and align sourcing strategies with business objectives, ensuring strong supplier relationships and project delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years related experience in a Procurement role.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prepare regular reports.
• Knowledge of financial, legal, and commercial contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead category management and supplier risk management.
• Develop multi-year category plans aligned with business goals.
• Create cost savings plans and sourcing strategies using analytics.

Skills

Stakeholder relationship management

Procurement processes

Category management

Analytical skills

Project management

Job description

Overview

Because we strive to put people first. Culture, our way.

The Category Specialist will lead the activities across categories of spend with the accountability for developing and executing effective procurement strategies for the categories and actively contributing to the development of the procurement function’s service to Primark.

What You’ll Do

as a Packaging Category Specialist

• You will lead and contribute to the development and execution of strategic category management, sourcing and supplier and risk management for assigned categories of goods and services across both business-as-usual and strategic investments / programmes, actively increasing spend under management and value for Primark
• You will lead and contribute to the development and execution of comprehensive, multi-year category plans, that deliver the category strategy and align with business goals, market dynamics, and internal demand, to ensure optimal performance, cost savings, and risk.
• You will generate ideas, identify opportunities and lead initiatives that drive long-term cost efficiency and value creation within your category, contributing towards the overarching multi-year cost efficiency programme.
• Using insights and analytics, you will create cost savings plans and sourcing strategies that align with business goals and represent a culture of innovation and dynamic agility.
• You will work with senior stakeholders to ensure agreement and alignment to all delivery plans (category, sourcing and cost efficiency programmes).
• You will nurture effective category relationships with GBS offshore partner, supporting the integration of our GBS partner offshore team into category ways of working with procurement and the business, within the assigned category.
• You will engage and align with business stakeholders to ensure that the GBS partner is equipped with the relevant information, data and requirements to execute against the agreed go-to market and sourcing plans
• You will manage the GBS partner for your projects to ensure project execution and delivery on time and in accordance with the agreed timings set out in the sourcing plan.
• You will monitor supplier performance for strategic partnerships, maintaining strong supplier relationships to drive cost savings, continuous improvement, innovation, sustainability, and other value beyond price.
• You will track cost savings and other benefits accurately and on time every period
• You will be required to monitor market trends, supply dynamics, and emerging risks to adjust category strategies accordingly.
• You will promote and adopt the use of digital tools and analytics to drive insights, process efficiency, and spend transparency.
• You will support the category manager in identifying and mitigating risks within assigned categories to ensure resilience and efficiency. Ensure regulatory compliance and uphold corporate governance standards.

What You’ll Bring

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular;

• 5+ years related experience in a Procurement role.
• Be able to establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external), ensuring business alignment on critical objectives.
• Experience and knowledge in category management is highly advantageous.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of procurement processes, policy, and systems.
• Experience of working within fast-paced and matrixed organisations.
• Experience of developing strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
• Ability to meet deadlines and prepare regular reports to share progress and performance.
• Knowledge of financial, legal and commercial contracts, sustainability/CSR and ethical sourcing.
• Ability to travel as required (15%).

Ready? Good - because we can’t wait to see what you can offer. You’ll be joining a team of diverse, passionate, and talented individuals where you’ll truly belong, collaborating on projects that will shape the future of our function and connect our colleagues, customers and communities.

About Primark

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we\'re Caring and always strive to put people first. We\'re also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss.

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Our fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

REQ ID: JR-1803