Jersey Category Manager
Because we strive to put people first.
Culture, our way..
Sourcing at Primark
Our sourcing teams are right at the heart of what we do. Surrounded by some of the best specialists in the industry, you'll bring your own ideas into the business - helping them to shape the experience of our customers as part of a forward-thinking team.
Purpose of the Role
To work in conjunction with cross departmental Buying and Merchandising teams on key categories. To create an aligned strategy across key departments linking sourcing with product teams. Ensuring maximum alignment on key categories and a supply base fit for the future to achieve long term sourcing and business goals.
Reports To: Head of Sourcing
Job Responsibilities
What You'll Do:
Supplier base Management:
1. Manage the category supply base across all relevant depts & sections.
2. Oversee the selection process of an optimum group of strategically selected key partner's suppliers considering all business appropriate criteria such as COO, Risk profile, Capability, Cost, Performance, alignment to Primark Cares and Capacity.
3. Design and deliver the product category strategy.
4. Implement a responsible exit programme or comprehensive onboarding of suppliers required to deliver a best-in-class supply base.
5. Secure stakeholder engagement from all departments and functions.
6. Drive Supplier performance critical action planning (CAP's) through Supplier KPI's and Score Cards.
7. Build relationships with key suppliers to understand strengths and capabilities and make better informed decisions when placing orders.
8. Identify new or existing suppliers to develop product opportunities with to facilitate the growth and B&M requirements.
9. Utilise the Vendor Score Cards (VSC) ensuring information is used in Primark decision making.
10. Ensure Key Line order volumes are in line with Strategic Partner strategy.
11. Work closely with the Product Sustainability team ensure the end-to-end product lifecycle is incorporated into the category strategy.
12. Research the market for new opportunities/innovation.
13. Understand the origin, construction, production, and market of key category to identify cost and product opportunities.
Collaboration with key Stakeholders:
1. Partnering with the Buying, Merchandising and Design, Sourcing, Product Sustainability, and Ethical Teams.
2. Working with in country teams on sourcing new factories, mills and fabrics to service total category.
3. Capture the feedback and views of the Buying, Merchandising and Design teams and channel to the relevant sourcing, sustainable and ethical teams.
4. Linking key categories, leveraging key fabric blocks across all departments to create efficiencies and economies of scale.
5. Understanding short term and long-term sourcing needs of buying teams creating an aligned strategy.
6. Monitoring supplier set up and supplier exit process, working closely with the QA and Ethical Trade team - Ensuring newly proposed suppliers meet the wholistic requirements of the business.
7. Liaise with central merchandising and key lines team on roll ups.
8. Travel - discovery and support trips for key categories.
9. Regular travel will be required.
Strategy:
1. Setting the category strategy with the Sourcing and Buying Leadership Teams and ensuring delivery remains on track.
2. Understand COO risk and opportunity. Analyse and future strategy of product mix targets.
3. Creating a shared strategy across all departments and facilitating workshops to create this strategy together.
4. Working with other business partners on new product launch/campaign opportunities.
5. Be an integral part of product development and sign off processes to ensure relevant product placed with the right suppliers - offer support on alternative sources.
6. Give regular updates to buying teams e.g., on supplier performance, political & socio-economic updates from producing countries, market information etc.
7. Guide long term sourcing strategies and business initiatives.
8. Monitor key competition on their sourcing strategy and initiatives.
9. Consistently seek opportunities that will enable us to reach our Primark Cares targets.
Key Interactions and engagement as part of role:
1. Establish and maintain relationships with the range of relevant internal and external stakeholders.
2. Maintain effective personal relationships with the Buying and Merchandising, Sourcing, Sustainable and Ethical teams and facilitate quality communication.
3. Create relationships with suppliers, mills and in country teams to ensure clear understanding of supplier status, strengths, and areas for development.
4. Develop high profile and significant relationships with the executives of above teams.
5. Share regular news updates from suppliers and the countries we operate in.
6. Engages in discussions and negotiations with the Buying and Merchandising teams in each department to harmonize key categories as appropriate.
7. Deliver a clear category strategy with focus on long and short term.
8. Influence the team on new supplier and COO opportunities.
9. Be a Brand ambassador internally and externally for the business.
What You'll Bring:
1. 3+ years' experience within a similar or related role within retail.
2. Experience working in a Sourcing/Ethical/Sustainability or BMD dept. (Buying, Merchandising and Design).
3. Experience in product costing and analysis.
4. Works well in a team and on their own initiative & can work efficiently under tight deadlines.
5. Motivated, resourceful, and professional attitude.
6. Ability to contribute to key decisions whilst representing both sourcing and buying perspectives.
7. Interest in the relevant global industry and political news.
8. Ability to create short term and long-term strategies - to bring all relevant stakeholders on the journey.
9. Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
10. Ability to build quality relationships both internally and externally.
11. Naturally inquisitive and resourceful.
12. Skilled at generating insights and developing effective plans.
13. Determined and inspired to accomplish results and standards of excellence.
14. Proficient user of MS Office across PC and Mac.
Personal Attributes:
1. Highly organised, detail-oriented, possessing the ability to effectively prioritise projects and deliverables whilst meeting deadlines set by management.
2. Effective planning and organisation skills, ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, plan and prioritise work schedule for self and team and work within agreed timescales.
3. Proficient attention to detail and an ability to analyse and interrogate high volumes of data as well as demonstrating an ability to focus on higher level overview.
4. Ability to manage sensitive matters whilst ensuring all Primark information remains confidential to the business.
5. Be an effective collaborator with proficient interpersonal/communication skills, while demonstrating high levels of emotional intelligence and possess the ability to push back with professionalism.
6. Skilled in developing effective working relationships across all levels of the organisation.
7. Operates with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, tact and professionalism.
8. Effective and persuasive presentation skills, including the ability to present complex information in an understandable manner to all areas of the business.
9. Ability to guide, persuade and coach others.
10. Sound judgement, unquestionable ethics and integrity with high degree of transparency and trust.
What You'll Get:
The world is changing and it's important we support our colleagues.
People are at the heart of what we do at Primark so it's essential we provide the right environment for you to perform at your best. That's why we offer benefits that put you first.
1. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 more.
2. Flexible working, an opportunity for an early Friday finish, and a subsidised cafeteria.
3. Primark Perks - Discounts with some local partner businesses to our offices.
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.
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