Senior Category Manager

ConvaTec Inc; Shotton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global medical products company is seeking a strategic leader for Global Category Management. The successful candidate will manage a team to develop and execute category strategy aligned with business objectives. Key responsibilities include negotiating with suppliers, leading procurement efforts, and applying analytical insights to drive results. A degree level education or equivalent, alongside strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills, is essential. This role offers the opportunity to influence supply chain strategy in a company dedicated to improving patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Understanding of Category Management principles with track record of delivering results.
• Strong communication skills to influence stakeholders.
• Ability for analytical problem-solving and data analysis.
• Advanced negotiation skills.
• Understanding of financial principles and resource planning.
• Strong leadership capabilities.
• Experience in SAP software.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Power-BI, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and communicate category strategy.
• Lead and coach a team on the category strategy.
• Provide category knowledge and market insights.
• Manage the Source to contract process.
• Lead Supplier Relationship Management programs.
• Oversee Procurement activities for Supply Chain resilience.

Skills

Category Management principles

Strong communication

Analytical problem-solving

Negotiation skills

Financial principles understanding

Leadership skills

SAP experience

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Power-BI

Microsoft PowerPoint

Education

Degree level education or MCIPS Certified

Job description

This role has accountability for end-to-end Global Category Management for Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Packaging and Sterilisation Services, managing a Category team to deliver the Category Strategy aligned to the Business Plan and Departmental objectives. The role actively leads, develops, and manages end‑to‑end category strategy and plans for the short, medium, and long term aligned to the Business Plan and objectives; Identifying a pipeline of initiatives to maximise value and outcomes for Convatec, balancing revenue, risk and value opportunities.

Key Information

• Team: Category Managers, Strategic Buyers and other colleagues as determined within Project or Business requirements
• Principal Contacts & Purpose of Contact: Internal – Supply Chain to support materials arriving on site, Marketing to exchange information, Regulatory (Internal) to consult on change implications, T&I (Internal) to advise on suppliers and materials for NPD projects, Finance to advise on costs, Senior Stakeholders (internal) to influence strategy or behavior changes, External – Suppliers to agree and negotiate contract terms, consultants and advisors as required.
• Travel Requirements: Position may involve travel up to 25% of the time, mostly within Europe but overseas travel is expected. Most trips will include overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and effectively communicate a fully integrated and customer/business aligned category strategy.
• Lead, develop and coach a team to execute on the category strategy whilst providing extensive support to all other key GQO functions, ensuring the support and upskilling of team members to deliver their professional objectives, personal development plans and long‑term career goals.
• Provide extensive category knowledge and supply market insights to internal stakeholders.
• Accountable for the delivery of the Source to contract process (S2C).
• Lead the Supplier Relationship Management program with all critical suppliers, managing the effective performance, delivery, continuous improvement and productivity initiatives across the relevant suppliers.
• Responsible for leading the Procurement activities related to Supply Chain resilience, strategy development, productivity targets, innovation pipeline and New product Development Launch schedule in designated Category.

Qualifications

• A clear understanding of Category Management principles with a track record of delivering results across a number of different category areas, building strong supplier and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong communication and engagement skills that enable you to support, influence and constructively challenge stakeholders to deliver the best outcomes for Convatec.
• Demonstrated ability for analytical problem‑solving and analysis/interpretation of complex problems, incorporating data gathered from a variety of sources/software tools.
• Advanced level of Negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of financial principles, resource planning and allocation.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Good level of SAP experience.
• Strong capability in all Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Power‑BI, PowerPoint etc.
• Educated to degree level or MCIPS Certified (Level 6) or equivalent experience.

About Convatec

Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With more than 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at‑risk skin, to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec's revenues in 2024 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit http://www.convatecgroup.com. At Convatec, we’re pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch. If you’re ready to make a real impact, apply today and help us bring our Forever Caring promise to life.