Category Development Strategist

Job Title: Category Lead

• The Category Lead oversees all activities across various categories, with accountability for developing and implementing effective procurement strategies. They contribute to the development of the procurement function's service.
• They collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets, leading day-to-day tasks such as developing and executing strategic category management to drive spend under management and value for the business.
• They are accountable for developing and executing comprehensive, multi-year category plans, aligned with business goals, market dynamics, and internal demand.
• They lead the creation and implementation of go-to market and sourcing strategies, associated plans, and negotiation strategies, included in the category plan.
• They identify, assess, and manage supplier risk, ensuring resiliency, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and adherence to governance standards.
• They lead a multi-year cost-efficiency program for their category, agreed upon with budget owners and aligned to the Cost Efficiency programme and targets.
• Using insights and analytics, they create long-term cost-saving plans and sourcing strategies that align with business goals and represent a culture of innovation and dynamic agility.
• They ensure benefits tracking against the category plans and sourcing activity is done accurately and in a timely manner.
• Beyond price, they identify and deliver continuous operational improvement, innovation, and sustainability.
• They lead the negotiation of high-value, complex contracts while ensuring alignment and contribution of suppliers towards Primark 2030 strategy.
• They are accountable for ensuring that the Category Specialist and the GBS have executed the agreed go-to market and sourcing plans as agreed in the Category plans, in a timely and to the expected standards.
• Working closely with relevant business stakeholders, the role holder identifies and develops strategic supplier relationships, supporting performance management (operational and commercial) as well as supplier innovation.
• They implement and embed new ways of working with procurement and GBS partners, procurement policy, and governance.

• At least 7 years of related experience in a Category Manager role, preferably with related procurement category expertise.
• Ability to manage complex sourcing activities, such as multi-market, various maturity levels, and large scale, to supplier recommendation/award, demonstrating the use of different sourcing approaches.
• Demonstrated success in developing and delivering multi-year strategies, ensuring competitive commercial advantage.
• Expert knowledge of financial and legal contract negotiations, carrying strong awareness of ethical sourcing and corporate social responsibility issues.
• Lead cross-functional negotiation teams, sign off on negotiation strategies, lead negotiation, and manage the commercial components of contract drafting.
• Demonstrated ability to forge close business relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all management levels.
• Proven track record of developing strategic partnerships with key suppliers.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to travel as required (>20%).

• A supportive team environment, where everyone can feel valued.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including healthcare, pension, bonus potential, 27 days of leave, bank holidays, tax-saver tickets, fitness centre access, and a subsidised cafeteria.

Primark is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture. We encourage applications from diverse candidates and are happy to provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.