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.
What You’ll Get
People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. We offer a supportive lifestyle: healthcare, pension and potential bonus; 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Benefits include Tax Saver Tickets, a fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.
What You’ll Do as a Packaging Category Specialist
* 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 develop and execute 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 mitigation.
* 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‑saving plans and sourcing strategies that align with business goals and embody 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 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 the GBS partner has 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 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.
* You will 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, and ensure regulatory compliance and uphold corporate governance standards.
What You’ll Bring
* 5+ years related experience in a procurement role.
* Strong ability to establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external), ensuring business alignment on critical objectives.
* Experience and knowledge in category management (highly advantageous).
* Strong knowledge and understanding of procurement processes, policy and systems.
* Experience working within fast‑paced and matrixed organisations.
* Experience 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.
* Ability to travel as required (15%).
About Primark
At Primark, people matter. We’re the beating heart of our business and have grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business with over 80,000 colleagues and 440 stores across 17 countries. Our values are caring, dynamic and we thrive together. We promote equal employment opportunity and an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know. All offers of employment are subject to background checks.
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