Head of Purchasing – Category Management

JCB is a truly world class, family-owned business. We are proud of our achievements and recognise that future growth and success is shaped by the ambition of the JCB team. If you are looking for a career with a business where people really count, look no further than JCB.

Overview of the role:

In this role you will be responsible for leading the overall category management programme required within the group, and ensure the implementation and execution of business wide category strategies that deliver cost effective solutions for operational requirements and provide commercial services in respect to acquiring all products at the total lowest cost.

You will ensure that the category strategies are aligned to the overall business objectives and drive improvements in total cost for all products. It is necessary to create a business environment and develop a multi-functional framework that the teams can operate in effectively, and execute efficiently the approved strategies.

The person in the role will need to form strong relationships with Engineering and Operational leaders to drive the necessary changes required to implement the category strategy framework.

Key Performance Areas:

Strategy Development & integration: Ensure Category strategy programme is initiated in a standard way globally. Ensure that the process can be integrated within all aspects of the business effectively.

Relationship & Business Integration: Ensure that stakeholders understand the business benefit of category management. Ensure the business develop strong relationship for the long term that drives greater capability and performance.

People Leadership: Ensure the leading and development of a category team and programme. Ensuring there is a strong cross-functional mind set.

Business Management & Coordination: Ensuring cross functional category knowledge and ensure all opportunities are leveraged.

Skills:

Effective interpersonal and communication skillsProven change management skillsDemonstrate leadership skillsAbility to manage changing business requirements and demandsInfluential dexterityConflict resolution abilityResults ownership

Knowledge

Implement a Category & Supplier Management in a Global organisationCost and pricing managementManaging and implementing supply and sourcing strategiesPerformance & Change management Contracting and contract managementFinancial awareness

Experience & Qualifications

Purchasing in an Engineering and production environmentSuccess in leading a multi-disciplinary teamHolding and building Senior relationships within a global and matrix organisationEngineering and/or Programme Management understandingVirtual Team ManagementGraduate calibrePreferably CIPS qualifiedProduction or Engineering backgroundFlexibility to travel

Rewards you deserve:

This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor, dentist and visiting optician. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.

JCB: Building a Brighter Future

We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our recruitment team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@, and a member of the team will be in touch.

Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies. 

---