Procurement Category Manager, Retail Operations

Procurement Category Manager, Retail Operations 

Because we strive to put people first.    
Culture, our way.   

Procurement at Primark 

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.    

The Category Manager 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. 

The Category Manager supports the development and execution of effective category strategies across Retail Operations, providing deep category expertise in Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) spanning soft services (cleaning, security and cash in transit) and hard FM, and supporting the design, contracting and delivery of an IFM model across the majority of the Primark estate (excluding the Middle East, c.£290m annual spend), ensuring value creation, service performance and operational resilience.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• You will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of strategic category management to drive spend under management and value, specifically across Retail Operations IFM (soft services including cleaning, security and cash in transit, and hard FM), supporting both business-as-usual activity and the strategic move from country by country service management to a consolidated IFM approach
• You will support the Retail Operations Category Managers in developing and executing the IFM category strategy and procurement plan, aligned to business goals, store operations requirements, market dynamics and internal demand, ensuring optimal performance, cost efficiency, innovation and service integrity
• You will support the design and implementation of the IFM sourcing and operating model (including service scope and bundling, supplier structure, commercial model and performance frameworks), with robust negotiation strategies embedded into the category plan
• You will identify, assess and manage supplier and category risk including supplier concentration, service continuity through transition, labour and employee transfer obligations, and regulatory compliance across markets, ensuring resiliency and governance
• You will monitor market trends across IFM, facilities services, security, cash logistics and supporting technology to continuously evolve category strategies and unlock competitive advantage
• You will support a cost efficiency and value optimisation programme, recognising that savings come not only from rate card reductions but from operational efficiencies, service bundling and redesigned service models, while balancing cost control with service quality
• Using insights, analytics and operational performance metrics (total cost of ownership, service levels, response and resolution times, cost per site), you will support the creation of data-driven sourcing strategies aligned to business and operational goals
• You will ensure benefits tracking is robust, incorporating both financial savings (rate and non rate) and service performance outcomes from category and sourcing activities
• Beyond price, you will drive continuous improvement, supplier innovation and sustainability across IFM services, including responsible labour practices and environmental performance
• You will support the negotiation of high-value, complex IFM contracts (e.g. master services agreements, service schedules, performance and pricing mechanisms, transition and mobilisation terms), ensuring alignment with the category strategy
• You will support the execution of sourcing strategies through Category Specialists and GBS, including tendering, contracting and supplier mobilisation, to the required quality and timelines
• You will ensure appropriate negotiation strategies are applied to IFM sourcing, supporting teams in complex supplier negotiations where required
• Working closely with Retail Operations stakeholders, you will build strategic supplier partnerships with IFM providers, driving both performance and innovation
• Strong leadership and influencing is required to partner with senior Retail Operations stakeholders, aligning procurement approaches with operational strategy, store standards and customer experience
• You will act as a subject matter expert for IFM procurement, advising the Category Managers and senior leaders on market trends, IFM operating models and commercial strategies
• You will support change across procurement ways of working for facilities and retail operations categories, embedding governance while enabling the agility required in a live, multi-market store estate
• You will nurture strong collaboration with GBS partners ensuring alignment to IFM category needs and integration into ways of working
• Promote and adopt digital tools and analytics to drive insights, transparency and performance across IFM spend
• You will ensure your work is fully documented and handed over, ensuring continuity of delivery and benefits beyond the end of your 12 month contract

Required Experience:

• 7+ years related experience in a Category Manager role (or equivalent senior procurement role), with significant exposure to IFM procurement across hard and soft services
• Ability to manage complex sourcing activities including IFM supplier selection, service bundling and multi-market engagements
• Demonstrated success in designing and delivering IFM or bundled services strategies, including transition from fragmented supply to consolidated models
• Experience managing strategic FM and IFM supplier relationships to drive value, innovation and performance
• Strong commercial, financial and legal negotiation expertise including IFM contracts, service levels, pricing models and employee transfer considerations
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional negotiations and influence senior operational stakeholders
• Track record of building strategic partnerships with key suppliers
• Proven ability to deliver defined outcomes at pace within a 12 month engagement
• Retail or multi-site operations experience is preferred, alongside strong IFM experience
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, fast-paced operational environment balancing commercial outcomes with service excellence
• Will thrive in Primark’s culture and demonstrate our values and behaviours – caring, dynamic, and together

Personal Skills & Competencies:

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 acumen with understanding of retail operations value drivers
• Curiosity and ability to drive innovation within IFM categories
• Self-motivated, results-oriented and able to operate in dynamic environments
• Strong stakeholder engagement, particularly with Retail Operations teams
• Excellent influencing, storytelling and communication skills
• Strategic thinking combined with agility and adaptability
• Strong analytical capability including interpretation of service performance and cost metrics
• Excellent organisation, prioritisation and project management skills
• Ability to analyse, evaluate and recommend on risk at a strategic level, including operational continuity and reputational considerations
• Ability to travel as required (>20%)

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.  

About Primark 

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.  

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist. 

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss. 

Req ID: JR-16566

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