Global Category Manager - Indirects - Kidlington, OX5 1HX in Abingdon

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract to provide maternity cover, expected to start in May 2026. Reporting to the Global Head of Indirect Procurement, the Global Category Manager - Technology & Indirects is an astute commercial procurement professional with responsibility for the stewardship of global spend.

This is a hands-on role with a real opportunity to further develop how Technology and wider Indirect spend is managed across the organisation. Operating as a key commercial interface between Procurement and the business, the role delivers Procurement business partnering and commercial leadership across the Technology function and broader indirect categories, ensuring continuity of sourcing activity, contract renewals, supplier governance and value delivery during the maternity cover period.

The position leads end-to-end procurement activity, supports the annual budgeting and planning cycle, and maintains strong stakeholder engagement across multiple functions. Working in close partnership with the CDIO, Technology Leadership Team and other senior stakeholders, the role ensures third-party spend is proactively planned, commercially optimised and aligned to business objectives.

A key focus of the role is the forward planning and execution of a number of contract renewals, particularly across Q3 and Q4, ensuring early engagement, cost control and continuity of service. With global scope across multiple regions and business units, the role drives a consistent and standardised approach to Technology procurement, maximising leverage and delivering value through fact-based decision making, robust negotiation and effective supplier relationship management.

In addition to Technology, the role provides procurement business partnering and sourcing support across a wider indirect spend portfolio, such as Finance, Marketing and Professional Services. The role also plays a key part in embedding Procurement policy and governance, managing supplier due diligence and onboarding, maintaining contract compliance, delivering accurate savings and performance reporting in line with Finance requirements, and providing day-to-day leadership and direction to the Indirect Category Buyer.

• Partnering with Technology functions to shape and deliver procurement activity in line with project demand, renewals and investment plans, providing a consistent commercial approach across a complex global spend landscape.
• Acting as the Procurement Business Partner to the Technology function, working closely with the CDIO, Technology Leadership Team and, where required, other senior and Board-level stakeholders.
• Leading the forward planning and execution of contract renewals, particularly across Q3 and Q4, ensuring early engagement, continuity of service and optimal commercial outcomes.
• Supporting the annual budgeting and forecasting cycle by providing commercial insight and cost modelling for Technology spend.
• Leading end-to-end sourcing activity, including RFx development, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation and contract award.
• Establishing and managing strategic supplier relationships, driving performance, value delivery and effective contract management.
• Executing value-for-money decision making through spend leverage, benchmarking and the negotiation of favourable commercial and contractual terms, including payment terms and commercial models.
• Analysing global spend, supplier markets and stakeholder requirements to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, demand management and value creation.
• Ensuring compliance for new and existing suppliers, including due diligence, financial and risk assessments, robust onboarding processes and contract governance.
• Embedding Procurement policy, processes and best practice across the organisation in partnership with the Procurement Centre of Excellence.
• Delivering accurate savings and cost avoidance reporting, alongside pipeline, performance and category updates for senior stakeholders.
• Confidently leading meetings and presenting commercial recommendations and outcomes to the CDIO, senior leadership and, where required, board-level stakeholders to support informed decision making, while providing day-to-day leadership and development for the Indirect Category Buyer and flexible procurement support across additional indirect categories as required.

• Procurement experience within a global category role.
• Relevant category experience.
• Experience working within a complex private sector multi-national business.
• Result orientated with the ability to present results in a structured and professional manner.
• Strong project management skills.
• Commercial acumen and ability to influence business colleagues and leaders.
• Strong analytical skills and evidences use of data to drive informed decision-making.
• Cost reduction experience and evidence.
• Team player with customer service focus.
• Specialist Sourcing Qualification (CIPS).
• Degree educated or equivalent (and proven track record).
• Prior experience in manufacturing (desirable).
• Prior procurement transformation experience (desirable).

• Competitive Salary.
• Discretionary Annual Bonus (pro-rata).
• Private Medical Insurance.
• 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.
• Paid day off for volunteering.
• Employee discounts through MyDiscounts.
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme.
• Holiday Purchase Scheme.
• Eyecare Vouchers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

This is a hybrid role, with 2-3 days per week based in either our Kidlington or Jarrow office. Essentra plc is a leading global provider of essential components and solutions, focusing on the manufacture and distribution of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items. Headquartered in the UK, Essentra's global network extends to 28 countries worldwide and includes over 3,000 employees, 14 manufacturing facilities, 24 distribution centres and 33 sales & service centres serving c.74,000 customers with a rapid supply of low cost but essential products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.