Category Specialist in Kidlington

Category Specialist in Kidlington

Kidlington Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Essentra plc

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage procurement strategies and collaborate with teams to drive sustainability and value.
  • Company: Essentra Components, a global leader in essential industrial components.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, pension contributions, and extra leave for your birthday.
  • Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career growth opportunities and a supportive work culture.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a global company.
  • Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing, strong negotiation skills, and a customer-focused mindset.

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

We are looking for an experienced Procurement Specialist who has industry experience ideally in manufacturing or components. You will be providing expertise in category management and procurement activities across the growing Essentra Components business. Whoever is successful in this opportunity will work closely with divisional group and business teams.

Responsibilities

  • Implement and manage robust strategic (3-18 month) commodity plans with all relevant stakeholders
  • Gather relevant market intelligence to support the business with insightful commercial information
  • Work with key stakeholders to define opportunities and deliver the benefits
  • Apply a fact-based and insight-led approach to recommendations put forward to the business
  • Help drive sustainability & ESG agenda across procurement function & category
  • Execute value for money decision making through spend leverage, cost benchmarking and through the negotiation of favourable terms and fact-based recommendations
  • Ensure and mitigate business risk across the commodity portfolio
  • Support the NPI process and develop strong relationships with the relevant Essentra Product Manager
  • Manage and develop the commodity area with an emphasis on continuous improvement
  • May be required to support on other procurement categories including but not limited to freight, indirect & raw material procurement
  • Ensure adherence to Procurement's standards and policy
  • Monitor supplier compliance with Essentra governance requirements
  • Take responsibility for tracking both cost saving and price adjustment reporting against budget
  • Coordinate, monitor and report on all data and pricing changes
  • Apply a flexible and pragmatic approach to all tasks undertaken
  • Actively promote Procurement to the wider business to ensure leading practice is adopted, delivered and recognised

Qualifications

  • Industrial/manufacturing experience
  • Negotiation experience
  • Strong presentation/communication skills
  • Sound commercial understanding
  • Strong numeracy and analytic skills
  • Customer service driven
  • Task orientated with ability to own and complete complex tasks
  • Procurement experience within a category-based role
  • Level 4 CIPS qualification
  • Component purchasing experience

Company Overview

Essentra Components are a global market leader in plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal components. We have a history of over 65 years, producing essential components across a huge range of industries and applications. Making it easier for our customers is our top priority. That’s why we operate internationally in 29 countries across 4 continents. With every order, we offer a hassle‑free experience through our 14 manufacturing facilities, 34 distribution centres and 40 sales and service locations. We have over 45,000 standard parts and one of the world’s most extensive product offerings, all available for immediate dispatch and fast delivery. Our product range features caps and plugs, wire and cable management, flange protection, knobs, handles and grips, access hardware, PCB and electronics hardware. Our Vision is to be "The world’s leading responsible hassle‑free supplier of essential industrial components".

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary
  • Discretionary Annual Bonus
  • Up to 5% matched pension contribution
  • 4x annual salary life assurance
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Extra paid day off for your birthday
  • Additional holiday purchase scheme
  • Paid day off for volunteering
  • Employee discounts through MyDiscounts
  • Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
  • Eyecare Vouchers
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme

This is a hybrid role with expectation of working in our Jarrow or Kidlington office 2/3 days per week.

Category Specialist in Kidlington employer: Essentra plc

Essentra Components is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and sustainability. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a discretionary annual bonus and additional leave for volunteering, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to a global leader in essential industrial components. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making it an attractive opportunity for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a collaborative environment.

Essentra plc

Contact Details:

Essentra plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Category Specialist in Kidlington

Get Savvy with Industry Perks

Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!

Show Off Your Skills

Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Essentra plc.

Tap into Your Network

Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!

Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards

With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!

We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist in Kidlington

Procurement Expertise
Category Management
Market Intelligence Gathering
Stakeholder Engagement
Sustainability & ESG Knowledge
Negotiation Skills
Cost Benchmarking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!

Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Essentra plc:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Essentra plc. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!

Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Essentra plc.

How to prepare for a job interview at Essentra plc

Show Off Your Negotiation Skills

In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!

Know Your Tools

Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Essentra plc!

Understand Market Trends

As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Essentra plc. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.

Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude

A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Essentra plc's culture.