Supply Chain Category Specialist

Supply Chain Category Specialist

The Supply Chain 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.   

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.  

What You’ll Do as a Supply Chain Category Specialist
In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:

• 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
• You will be required to monitor market trends, supply dynamics, and emerging risks to adjust category strategies accordingly.

What You’ll Bring  
Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular:

• 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.
• Highly effective and skilled negotiator.
• Excellent organisation, prioritization and time management skills.
• Ability to analyse, evaluate and recommend on risk at strategic level.
• Ability to travel as required (15%).

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. 

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