Category Manager - Raw Material in London

Category Manager - Raw Material in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and build strong supplier partnerships for critical raw materials.
  • Company: Join Orkla House Care, a leader in painting tools with a global presence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on cost efficiency and sustainability in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in strategic procurement and excellent negotiation skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborate with international teams and enjoy a supportive workplace culture.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Supply chain and production. Legal Entity: LG Harris & Co Limited. Job Type: Permanent. Job Location: United Kingdom, Job Posting City: Bromsgrove.

Orkla House Care is 100% owned by Orkla ASA and is the leading provider of brushes, rollers and other painting tools, including relevant consumables such as sanding, tape, protection gear and cleaning equipment. The main markets are the Nordic countries, Benelux and the UK. The main proprietary brands are Jordan, Harris, Anza, Spekter, SAM and Hamilton. Sales are mainly through traditional paint shops and trade merchants. The business has around 750 employees and a turnover of approximately 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner. Most products are self-produced and distributed through Bankeryd in Sweden and Bromsgrove in the UK. The head office is at Skøyen in Oslo.

This is a key role within our global procurement team, created to strengthen our sourcing strategies and secure supply for critical raw materials. Our organisation is on an exciting journey of transformation, and together we will shape how this role evolves to meet future needs. You will become part of a professional and international procurement team, represented across Sweden, Denmark, England, Benelux, and China, with our parent company based in Norway. We are looking for someone who thrives on building strong supplier partnerships, driving cost improvements, and contributing to the next chapter of procurement at Orkla House Care.

What you’ll do:

  • Develop and implement category strategies aligned with OHC's global procurement framework.
  • Lead commercial processes: supplier selection, RFQs, benchmarking, negotiations, and contract management.
  • Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships to drive cost optimization and continuous improvement.
  • Identify alternative sources of supply and manage supply risk through contingency planning.
  • Support sustainability goals by ensuring compliance with ethical sourcing and carbon reduction initiatives.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Quality, and Production to align strategies and resolve challenges.
  • Report cost improvement initiatives and maintain accurate documentation in procurement systems.

What you bring:

  • A strong background in strategic procurement (minimum 5 years), ideally within a global organization.
  • Experience in category management and B2B supplier relationships.
  • Excellent negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and familiarity with eProcurement tools and spend analytics.
  • A proactive, structured approach with high personal drive and adaptability.
  • Fluent English (oral and written).

What’s in it for you?

  • A role with real impact on cost efficiency, sustainability, and supply security.
  • Visibility and collaboration across global teams.
  • A culture that values integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
  • Opportunities to grow, learn, and shape the future of procurement.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package.

Practicalities:

  • Reports to: Head of Raw Material Sourcing (based in Sweden)
  • Travel: International travel required
  • Work arrangement: Minimum On-site 3 days per week

We value diversity and encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of gender, age, background, or abilities. If you are motivated and have relevant experience, we welcome your application - even if you don’t meet every requirement. We believe that different skills and experiences bring unique value, and you might be the right fit for our team.

At Orkla House Care, you can be part of an international company with a dynamic and supportive work environment. We value collaboration, development, and innovation, and you can work closely with engaged colleagues across borders. We offer flexibility, including the possibility to work from home a few days a week.

Please submit your application by February 13th at the latest. If you have any questions related to the role, you are welcome to contact our Head of Raw Material Sourcing, Marie Asliden, marie.asliden@orkla.se.

For more information about Orkla House Care, please visit our website: https://www.orklahousecare.com/

We look forward to receiving your application!

Category Manager - Raw Material in London employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

At Orkla House Care, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in Bromsgrove, UK. Our culture values integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement, providing employees with opportunities for growth and collaboration across global teams. With a competitive salary and benefits package, along with the flexibility to work from home, we empower our team members to make a real impact in procurement while supporting sustainability goals.
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Contact Detail:

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Raw Material in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Orkla House Care. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Knowing about their brands like Jordan and Harris will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to drive cost improvements. Role-play scenarios with friends to build confidence.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Orkla House Care.

We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Raw Material in London

Strategic Procurement
Category Management
B2B Supplier Relationships
Negotiation Skills
Analytical Skills
Stakeholder Management
Microsoft 365 Proficiency
eProcurement Tools Familiarity
Spend Analytics
Cost Optimization
Supply Risk Management
Sustainability Compliance
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Documentation Accuracy
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your strategic procurement experience and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about procurement and how your skills match what we're looking for. Be sure to mention your experience in building supplier relationships and driving cost improvements.

Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your negotiation and analytical skills in your application. We’re looking for someone who can manage supplier relationships effectively, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past!

Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications through our website. So, make sure to follow the link and submit your application there. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s background and its products. Understand Orkla House Care's position in the market, especially regarding their raw materials. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your strategic procurement skills and experience in category management. Be ready to discuss how you've built supplier relationships and driven cost improvements, as these are key aspects of the Category Manager role.

✨Ask Smart Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the company's sourcing strategies, sustainability goals, and how they envision the evolution of the Category Manager role. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in contributing to the company's future.

✨Be Yourself

While it's important to be professional, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. Orkla House Care values diversity and inclusion, so being authentic can help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you’d be a great cultural fit for the team.

Category Manager - Raw Material in London
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
Location: London

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