At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sourcing strategies and build supplier partnerships for innovative packaging solutions.
- Company: Join TMS Global, a leader in sustainable packaging with a diverse team across 97 markets.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of sustainability and innovation in packaging for top global brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in FMCG or packaging, strong analytical skills, and a proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
Fixed Term Contract until April 2027
Are you an experienced sourcing or category professional with expertise in packaging, print and POS? We're looking for a Category Specialist to join our European Sourcing team on a fixed term basis and help deliver commercial value, supplier innovation, and sustainable sourcing solutions for some of the world's leading brands.
TMS Global, part of DS Smith, is a global leader in sustainable packaging and retail solutions. Operating in 97 markets with a team of 300+ across APAC, LATAM, EMEA and North America, we partner with leading global brands to deliver innovative print, packaging, and display solutions.
As Category Specialist, you'll be the category expert for print, packaging and POS, responsible for identifying sourcing opportunities, developing supplier partnerships, and driving commercial value across the European region. Working closely with client-facing teams, suppliers, and internal stakeholders, you'll identify and deliver opportunities to improve cost, quality, performance, and supply chain resilience while supporting contractual commitments and driving overall supply base effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities:
- Partner with the Global Category Lead to develop, implement, and continuously evolve the category sourcing strategy
- Build, manage, and strengthen supplier relationships
- Lead value delivery initiatives and competitive sourcing activities aligned to supplier and spend segmentation
- Deliver measurable cost savings through negotiation, total cost of ownership initiatives, and commercial strategy optimisation
- Support client-facing teams to maximise gross profit margins
- Monitor market trends, supplier developments, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and value creation
- Provide category and product expertise to internal stakeholders
- Regularly benchmark and review the supplier base to ensure alignment with internal and client requirements
- Support tenders and RFQs for new business and contract renewals
- Ensure data integrity, auditability, and accurate tracking of savings in line with commercial strategy
- Work with Sourcing Operations to resolve supplier performance issues and escalations
- Identify and mitigate supply risks, ensuring continuity and resilience
About You
This role would suit someone who thrives in a fast-paced, matrix environment and enjoys collaborating across teams and geographies. You'll bring strong analytical capability, attention to detail, and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
The ideal candidate will have experience in the following areas:
- A background in FMCG, Manufacturing or Packaging. Experience of Print or POS would be desirable.
- Proven experience managing supplier relationships, leading commercial negotiations, driving quality performance, and resolving supplier issues.
- Proven experience managing internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated success delivering commercial value through cost reduction, supplier optimisation, and category management initiatives.
- Strong project management capability
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel
To achieve our aim of being among the most successful, sustainable and responsible companies in the world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Category Specialist in Manchester employer: dssmith
At DS Smith in Burscough, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through ongoing training opportunities and a focus on sustainability, making this role not just a job, but a meaningful career path in the high-speed conversion sector. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your professional development while working with cutting-edge technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show dssmith that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, dssmith can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows dssmith that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let dssmith know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at dssmith
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
