- Professional
- Office in Reading
Job Description
Job title: Packaging Category Specialist
Purpose of role: 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.
Reports to: Category Manager
Location: Dublin/Reading
Key Responsibilities:
Our Values:
Every person impacts the culture at Primark. Our values: Caring (we always strive to put people first), Dynamic (we bravely push the boundaries to stay ahead) and Together (we learn more, laugh more and achieve more as a team) outline how we work with each other, our suppliers, and our partners. We want to continue to create amazing cultures across Primark and need everyone to play their part in making this happen by living our values.
Skills and experience:
Purpose of role: 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.
Reports to: Category Manager
Location: Dublin/Reading
Key Responsibilities:
- 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 develop and execute the negotiation strategy for high-value, complex contracts, sometime leading negotiations for contracts and service agreements
- You will lead the sourcing execution for high value, complex contracts when required
- 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 operate in alignment with our evolved procurement operating model, partnering closely with GBS and adhering to established procurement policies and governance frameworks
- 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
- Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and risks and align procurement strategies towards business goals.
- 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.
Our Values:
Every person impacts the culture at Primark. Our values: Caring (we always strive to put people first), Dynamic (we bravely push the boundaries to stay ahead) and Together (we learn more, laugh more and achieve more as a team) outline how we work with each other, our suppliers, and our partners. We want to continue to create amazing cultures across Primark and need everyone to play their part in making this happen by living our values.
Skills and experience:
- 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.
- The role is also required to operate within the Primark values and behaviours which describe how we work with each other, our suppliers and our partners.
- Strong business and commercial acumen.
- Curiosity with ability to drive change.
- Self-motivated, focused and results orientated.
- Driven achiever with proven track record.
- Innovative and resourceful, good at getting things done.
- Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent problem solving, strategic thinking and planning skills.
- Highly effective and skilled negotiator.
- Excellent organisation, prioritization and time management skills.
- Ability to analyse, evaluate and recommend on risk at strategic level.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Good project management skills with an ability to multi-task.
- Ability to travel as required (15%).
Function
Procurement
Location
Reading
Country
United Kingdom
Employee Status
Employee - Permanent
Yes
