Global Category Manager

About the role

We are currently recruiting for a Global Category Manager (Speciality Paper) to develop and execute commercial procurement strategies that create a competitive advantage across DS Smith.

Reporting to the Head of Production, you’ll work collaboratively with stakeholders across the business, and be responsible for c.£140m spend across Specialty Paper. Key stakeholders are across the group, regions and key functions including Operations, Legal, Finance, Packaging Division & Innovation

We are looking for an individual who is familiar with standard concepts, practices and procedures within Category Management. As you will plan, direct, and monitor all purchasing activities so that the goods, materials, supplies, and services the organisation buys meet its standards of price, quality, timing, and reliability of supply. You will be someone who is willing to perform a variety of tasks and work independently and/or with general supervision.

Key accountabilities

Responsibilities include (but not limited):

Strategy and Vision

• Develop and implement 1–3-year supplier category strategies, supported by execution roadmaps to deliver this strategy with short, medium and long term initiatives.

• Develop long-term, integrated category strategies that drive holistic supplier performance.

Markets and Risk

• For the spend portfolio, understanding and responding to market intelligence and economic fundamentals to leverage the optimal time to go to market for pricing and value.

• Delivering supplier strategies which actively anticipate and reduce supplier risk (e.g. sole supplier risk, financial health, data privacy, information security, modern slavery) and secure competitive supply.

Contracting

• Ensuring appropriate Supplier contracting strategies are in place across the portfolio to mitigate legal and regulatory exposure.

• Ensure a robust strategy across the portfolio, to embed and ensure accountability on relevant Supplier KPIs.

• Ensure there is an aligned approach for managing relevant contracts with business stakeholders and Regional Procurement teams.

Portfolio Management

• Oversee the delivery of the portfolio initiatives.

• Management of large-scale supplier market tender approaches and negotiations end to end.

Supplier Relationship and Performance Management

• Ensure relevant Supplier Performance and Relationship Management processes and priorities are in place and aligned with business stakeholders and Regional Procurement teams.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers

• Ensure that Strategic Suppliers have ‘top to top’ meetings and governance in place and aligned with business stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement / Business Partnering

• Build relationships across the procurement community

• Represent the Function on Procurement topics in cross functional forums.

About you

• Degree level or equivalent by experience. Bachelor's degree

• Deep knowledge and experience in procurement: Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Procurement Category role.

• Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.

• Experience in managing a range of complex procurement sourcing and contracting negotiations.

• Demonstrable track record in influencing in a matrix environment.

• Strong analytical and storytelling skills.

• Strong communication skills with ability to influence in a matrix environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary 

• Discretionary bonus 

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Car allowance 

• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection 

• Sharesave scheme 

• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Employee Discounts 

• Cycle to work scheme 

Location: UK remote role, Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00pm

About us 

We’re DS Smith, the FTSE100 company who are redefining packaging for a changing world. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. Today, we operate in more than 30 different countries, proudly employing over 30,000 people, and supporting customers across sectors like FMCG, industrial, and e-commerce. We deliver on quality, service, innovation, and added value to deliver market-leading sustainable packaging solutions our customers need. Our industry needs to transform, and we’re building the team to drive change across Europe and North America. 

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. 

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.