Category Specialist
On-siteManchester, England, United Kingdom
Job Summary
Develop, implement, and continuously evolve the category sourcing strategy for print, packaging, and POS while building and managing supplier relationships. Lead value delivery initiatives and competitive sourcing activities to deliver measurable cost savings through negotiation and total cost of ownership optimization. Partner with client-facing teams to maximize gross profit margins and support tenders and RFQs for new business and contract renewals. Regularly benchmark the supplier base to ensure alignment with internal and client requirements, resolve supplier performance issues, and mitigate supply risks for continuity. Monitor market trends and emerging technologies to identify innovation opportunities and ensure data integrity in savings tracking. This fixed-term role within the European Sourcing team at TMS Global (DS Smith) supports leading global brands in sustainable packaging solutions.
Required Qualifications
- A background in FMCG, Manufacturing or Packaging
- Proven experience managing supplier relationships
- Proven experience leading commercial negotiations
- Proven experience driving quality performance
- Proven experience resolving supplier issues
- Proven experience managing internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated success delivering commercial value through cost reduction
- Demonstrated success delivering commercial value through supplier optimisation
- Demonstrated success delivering commercial value through category management initiatives
- Strong project management capability
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel
Desired Qualifications
- Experience of Print or POS
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