EP Group - Category Manager / Buyer

EP Group is an award winning, global packaging manufacturer with production facilities across Europe and South East Asia.

Our global headquarters in Birmingham is home to our dedicated paper manufacturing division providing a wide range of food packaging products for the likes of McDonalds, Amazon, Marks & Spencer and Greggs. We are fully BRC accredited, delivering globally recognised standards in quality, safety and responsibility.

Category Manager / Buyer

We are now seeking a Category Manager to join our dynamic purchasing team to autonomously manage one of our key categories for some of our biggest customers. The role will involve working with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers on a global basis to best support our needs and the needs of our customers.

Reporting into the Head of Purchasing, you will be supported by a team of Category Assistants to develop and drive the category strategy and grow the category in terms of sales and profitability.

Category Manager - Key Accountabilities

• Creation and execution of category strategy to grow the category in terms of both sales and profitability.
• Develop Category plans in line with strategy.
• Develop annual calendar of supplier tenders.
• Drive best cost first time initiatives through the purchasing department.
• Plan for future development within the category and wider business requirements.
• Plan supplier and trade show visits. 
• Supplier base management to ensure company is dealing with the most appropriate suppliers to deliver its objectives.
• Understanding processes and costs involved with manufacturing, raw materials and distribution through to end use.
• Drive innovation working with internal departments to develop new ideas to future proof the business.
• Category and product life-cycle management.
• Holistic category and product knowledge to provide subject matter expertise both internally and to customers.
• Being the final point of escalation for internal stakeholder issues within the purchasing department.

Category Manager - Essential Experience

• Experience of managing a category within a purchasing function
• Experience in retail would be a distinct advantage
• Experience of managing and dealing with global suppliers
• Be results focussed and be able to demonstrate a record of successful cost reduction activities
• Be an experienced negotiator
• Demonstrated experience of driving a category strategy with clear achievements in terms of profitability, reduced spend or increased margins
• Be able to work autonomously and as part of a team
• Be commercially focussed
• Be a strong communicator