Job title: Category Manager Location: UK - Predominantly Remote (Be able to commute to office in Slough, Paddington or Waltham on the Wolds for meetings) Contract length: 24 months Pay Type: PAYE/Umbrella Randstad Sourceright, a leading provider of RPO & MSP Recruitment Services are currently recruiting for a Category Manager on behalf of a highly reputable company in the FMCG and Animal Health & Nutrition sector. This role can be flexible on location with the option for predominantly remote working but must be able to travel to an office location in Slough/Paddington/Waltham on the Wolds for any meetings. The role will focus on a project transformation of the supply network for Animal Protein - previous experience in procurement of Raw Materials would be ideal. The Category Manager is responsible for the strategic implementation and management of a new inbound pipeline for raw materials across 8 different sites across Europe. This role will oversee the entire project lifecycle, ensuring alignment with business objectives, optimising supply chain efficiency, and driving significant cost reductions. This position will focus on establishing robust processes, mitigating risks, and fostering innovation to enhance the operational capabilities and competitiveness of the organisation. Responsibilities: Lead the implementation of the new inbound pipeline for raw materials, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals and site-specific requirements. Develop and execute detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets, coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery. Oversee the setup of infrastructure, technology, and processes necessary for the inbound pipeline, ensuring seamless integration with existing operations. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of supplier, material, and market risks impacting the project, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. Serve as the point of contact for project-related risks, consulting with COPs and Commercial teams on supply issues and escalation procedures. Lead and own Business Continuity Management and Planning, both short term and medium term, via maintaining a comprehensive understanding of supplier, material, and market risks impacting the category through continuous analysis, in collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders. Partner with SSMs and Buying Category Expert to identify medium / long term BCP and network resilience risks, develop robust action plans to increase resilience, drive execution & tracking and reporting. Serve as the point of contact for category risks, consulting and briefing the COPs team and overall Commercial teams on category evolution and supply issues escalation. Align the inbound pipeline project with long-term category goals, business priorities, and supply strategies, supporting the SSM as the project lead. Provide detailed instructions for effective tender preparation, incorporating comprehensive volume consolidation, contract details, and site-specific considerations. Champion partnerships with Sourcing and Category teams to drive tender execution and implementation, focusing on TCO reduction and efficiency. Ensure business priorities, supply strategies & commercial operations requirements are fed into the strategy and implementation plan to ensure the category's long-term goals are feasible & aligned with business needs. Partnering with & supporting the Strategic Sourcing Manager through the process for the most complex, high spend and sensitive Commercial categories. Identify opportunities to drive increased efficiency and effectiveness from a Commercial Operations perspective to the tendering approach and process, SPM ways of working and TCO ideation and implementation. Key Skills / Experience Required: Knowledge of Strategic Sourcing and Category Management principles Previous Category Manager / Buyer experience Previous experience in procurement of Raw Materials would ideal - any previous experience in Animal Protein Supply Chain would also be advantageous Excellent Spoken and Written skills (Fluent language and English) Proficiency in managing intricate supplier relationships Experience in negotiation and performance management Advanced Supply Chain/Procurement principles, methodologies, and framework Strong communicator We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and encourage all qualified candidates to apply. While the hiring process may not be expedited, we urge all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly to ensure their consideration. To apply, please follow the instructions on our application portal. We look forward to receiving your application If this isnt the role youre looking for right now, please visit our contractor portal below where you will see all of our live roles and communities to join: https://contractortalent.gr8people.eu/