Senior Category Manager

JR United Kingdom; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage powerhouse is seeking a Senior Procurement Manager to oversee the Ingredients category across EMEA. This key role entails managing supplier relationships, driving supply chain strategies, and ensuring continuous supply in a fast-paced environment. The position demands strong negotiation skills, analytical acumen, and a relevant degree, offering a significant opportunity to influence a vital category in the global market.

Qualifications

• A degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Finance; MCIPS preferred.
• Proven procurement experience in an FMCG environment.
• Strong analytical skills, with a knack for interpreting data and solving complex supply challenges.

Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end ownership of the Ingredients category for EMEA.
• Lead complex, high-value negotiations with strategic suppliers.
• Manage supplier contracts and monitor performance.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Analytical skills

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Finance

MCIPS (preferred)

Tools

SAP Proficiency

Job description

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Senior Category Manager, london (uxbridge)

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Client:

Advocate Group

Location:

london (uxbridge), United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

3

Posted:

26.06.2025

Expiry Date:

10.08.2025

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Job Description:

Our client, a globally leading and fast-growing powerhouse in the beverage industry, is looking for a highly capable Senior Procurement Manager to take the reins of their Ingredients category across the EMEA region.

This is a critical role within a dynamic procurement function, offering the opportunity to influence supply chain strategy and category performance for one of the most visible components in their global product portfolio. With a focus on both category excellence and regional leadership, you’ll be a key player in ensuring supply continuity, unlocking value, and driving commercial impact in a complex and high-growth market.

What You’ll Do:

• Take end-to-end ownership of the Ingredients category for EMEA, managing supplier relationships, contracts, and performance to ensure secure, efficient, and cost-effective supply.
• Lead complex, high-value negotiations with strategic suppliers, often involving senior stakeholders.
• Deliver market insights, price forecasts, and category intelligence to both regional and global teams.
• Partner with co-packers and their procurement teams to optimize sourcing and strengthen value creation strategies.
• Build and manage robust forecasting, risk management, and value-creation programs for the tin/aluminium supply base.
• Collaborate across EMEA Planning, Operations, Innovation, and Finance teams to align procurement strategy with wider business goals.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethical sourcing, sustainability, and mutual value creation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure uninterrupted supply of raw ingredients to meet demand and growth.
• Optimize cost via strategic sourcing, RFQs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage supplier contracts, monitor performance, and ensure timely payment/invoicing processes.
• Handle pricing, hedging, and freight costs using a total-cost-of-ownership approach.
• Deliver insightful category analyses — from raw material pricing and capacity constraints to weather and geopolitical impacts.
• Maintain clear oversight of cost accruals and supplier innovation opportunities.

What You’ll Bring:

• A degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or Finance; MCIPS preferred.
• Proven procurement experience in an FMCG environment
• Proven expertise in negotiation and supplier relationship management.
• Strong analytical skills, with a knack for interpreting data and solving complex supply challenges.
• SAP proficiency and an understanding of lean manufacturing principles.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across regions and functions.
• Self-starter attitude with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced and agile environment.

This is more than a procurement role — it's a chance to influence one of the most critical categories in a brand that’s defining the global beverage landscape.

Join a high-growth environment where innovation, energy, and impact are part of the everyday. Apply now.

The Advocate Group is a leading recruitment partner, based in the UK, to the FMCG and consumer product sectors.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying for this role, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. Please note that The Advocate Group is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.