Category Expert Manager

1 week ago

Batley, United Kingdom Mars Full time

Job Description:

The Category Expert Manager is responsible for overseeing a diverse team of category experts, as well as operationally managing one of the organization's most complex commercial categories. This role blends functional leadership with people management, requiring a strategic approach to category management and effective team leadership. The Lead is pivotal in aligning category strategies with the organization's strategic vision and OGSM, driving transformative projects, and orchestrating TCO reduction initiatives. Additionally, this role involves great line management, fostering a culture of development, collaboration, and accountability within the team.
 

What are we looking for? 

  • Preferred - University Degree Level (e.g.: Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, Economics BSc) or equivalent.

  • Extensive experience in Business Management, Supply Chain, or Procurement, including significant time in a senior category management or similar strategic role, with a focus on leading and managing diverse teams.

  • Experience in strategic sourcing and category management

  • Proficient in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and data analysis tools (such as Excel, Power BI).

Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills:

  • Excellent Strategic Sourcing and Category Management principles

  • Excellent Spoken and Written skills (Native language and English)

  • Advanced stakeholder management and influencing skills

  • Excellent in negotiation and supplier performance management

  • Advanced Supply Chain/Procurement principles, methodologies, and frameworks

What will be your key responsibilities? 

Strategic Sourcing and Category Management:

  • Define & lead the approach for ensuring business priorities, supply strategies & commercial operations requirements are fed into the MSSM strategy and implementation plan to ensure long-term strategic goals are feasible & aligned with business need. Accountable for the team delivering high quality & timely input.

  • Facilitate the co-development of strategies for all categories, ensuring that operational perspectives on BCM, supply chain efficiency, and Total Cost of Ownership are integrated into these strategies as a unified voice to align long-term goals and targets.

  • Maintain direct communication with other commercial pillars, staying informed about the value leadership pipeline and its impact on their categories.

  • Establish and sustain close connections with department leads from Supply, R&D, and other relevant areas to ensure continuous collaboration and information flow.

  • Provide detailed guidance to SSMs for effective tender preparation to ensure continuous improvement and efficient & effective ways of working. Accountable to ensure all team inputs are delivered to a high quality & in a timely way.

  • Lead partnerships with Sourcing and Category teams in tender execution and implementation, including decisions on volume allocations for sites and driving TCO reduction efforts.

  • Accountable for Supplier Performance Mgt approach, structure, capability & tracking to support Sourcing led SPRM activities, as well as continuous improvement in this area. Establish communication with other pillar leads & functions to guarantee the effective utilization of both existing and under-development tools such as ECOVADIS and Global SPRM. This ensures thorough monitoring and application of KPIs for supplier reviews.

  • Actively participate in shaping the future of the category by contributing to visionary planning and continuous improvement initiatives, keeping in mind the evolving market trends and organizational objectives.


Risk Management and Business Continuity:

  • Define, lead & own Business Continuity Management & Planning approach, both short-term & 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. Ensure continuous improvement and effectiveness reviews take place as business and external context shifts to ensure efficiency.

Knowledge and Resource Optimization:

  • Accountability for SLA approach & delivery, integrating contributions from all commercial pillars, local and regional supply teams, and suppliers to ensure comprehensive and effective SLAs.

  • Oversee Spot Buy Concessions and standards/specifications concessions, ensuring alignment with stakeholder requirements and compliance.

  • Establishment of Governance and Workflow Processes, WOW, setting category performance priorities, and outlining KPIs.

  • Support Value Leadership ideation and execution of DiB projects for the category, ensuring operational excellence.

  • Lead and oversee QES projects, with a special emphasis on New Supplier Qualifications.

  • Lead supplier reviews, providing feedback on Operational Performance and site WOWs.

  • Support & coach the team when required on SLA approach & supplier negotiation, and ensure continuous improvement approach in all SLA / Spot Buy / Project processes.
    ​

Excellent Line Management:

  • Foster a collaborative team environment, evaluate & manage performance, and encourage problem-solving to enhance team dynamics.

  • Develop individualized growth plans for team members, offering mentorship, training, and opportunities for skill enhancement aligned with career and organizational goals.

  • Instill a culture of accountability, ensure clarity of roles and expectations, and align team efforts with the organization’s strategic objectives, leveraging available resources and networks.

  • Function as the main point of contact for any risks associated with buying categories, regularly consulting and briefing COPs teams and the broader commercial pillars about existing risks and escalating supply issues.

  • Lead BCM calls, responsible for informing the CLT and TLT when needed about major disruptions that have a significant case fill or NSV/MAC loss impact.

  • Work in close collaboration with the E2E, MSM, and Demand Planning leaders to ensure clear communication regarding market dynamics, align on necessary corrective actions, and synchronize commercial requests with the TLT's strategies and plans if needed.

What can you expect from Mars?

  • Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.

  • Join a purpose-driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

  • Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

  • An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including a company bonus.

#LI-AB2

#TomorrowStartsToday

#ProudlyMars

Mars is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

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