At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategies for Metal, Glass, and Label packaging across multiple regions.
- Company: Join General Mills, a leader in innovative consumer goods.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid work, health insurance, wellbeing perks, and bonus opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and cross-functional collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability and innovation in packaging.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in sourcing, fluent in French and English, strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Join General Mills in a role where sourcing strategy, packaging innovation, and commercial impact come together. We’re looking for a Sourcing Project Leader to lead our Metal, Glass, and Label packaging categories across Europe, Australia, and North Asia. You’ll develop and execute regional sourcing strategies that unlock value for our brands — driving cost competitiveness, supply resilience, innovation, and sustainability across a diverse international portfolio. This is a high‑impact role with broad exposure across markets, categories, and senior stakeholders. You’ll build strong supplier partnerships, influence cross‑functional teams, and help translate market intelligence into clear business insight.
What Your Role Is
- Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies across Metal, Glass, and Label packaging categories
- Deliver measurable value through cost savings, cost avoidance, and cash improvement initiatives
- Monitor market dynamics, feedstock trends, and external risks to identify opportunities and protect supply continuity
- Supplier & Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Build and manage strategic supplier partnerships across the region
- Lead contract negotiations, annual pricing discussions, and supplier performance reviews
- Partner closely with R&D, Operations, Finance, and business teams to support innovation, cost management, and operational excellence
- Support market intelligence communications and act as a key day‑to‑day link between suppliers, plants, and internal stakeholders
- Risk, Sustainability & Analytics
- Lead risk assessments, dual sourcing strategies, and contingency planning
- Support sustainability goals and compliance with relevant packaging regulations, including PPWR and EUDR
- Use data and analytics to track category performance, savings delivery, and market insights
What You’ll Bring To The Team
You bring 6+ years of sourcing experience, ideally in packaging categories within FMCG or a similar consumer goods environment with fluency in both French and English. You combine strong commercial acumen with analytical rigour and a proven track record of delivering cost savings, improving supplier performance, and leading strategic sourcing initiatives. You’re confident negotiating complex agreements, comfortable influencing senior stakeholders, and thrive working across functions and markets. Strong project management skills, learning agility, and the ability to navigate changing priorities will be key to success.
Benefits
- Work with Heart – offers flexibility that requires partnership to ensure we regularly come together in person. Our hybrid work policy means 50% in‑office, with the option to finish at 15:00 on Fridays.
- Wellbeing – free Headspace account for you and up to 5 friends or family members, ongoing activities, Employee Assistance Program and more.
- Bonus – rewards through our bonus scheme when goals are reached.
- Health & Dental Insurance – all colleagues can join the insurance plan from day one.
- Family & Carers Leave – opportunity to spend quality time-off to support family from birth or adoption to care, with enhanced covers.
- Other perks include enhanced pension contributions, subsidised canteen, peer‑to‑peer recognition, discount platforms, 2 extra days for volunteering work, and more.
Sourcing Category Leader - Packaging in Uxbridge employer: General Mills
At General Mills, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Sourcing Category Leader in Packaging, you'll enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment, comprehensive health benefits, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. Our commitment to sustainability and employee wellbeing, combined with a strong focus on strategic partnerships, makes this role not only impactful but also rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sourcing Category Leader - Packaging in Uxbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at General Mills or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their packaging innovation and sustainability goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves contract negotiations and supplier performance reviews, being able to demonstrate your expertise in these areas during interviews will definitely set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Sourcing Category Leader - Packaging in Uxbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Sourcing Category Leader. Highlight your experience in sourcing strategies, especially in packaging, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial acumen.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about packaging innovation and how your skills align with our goals at General Mills. Be sure to mention your fluency in French and English as it’s a big plus for this role.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data and analytics, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn numbers into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at General Mills
✨Know Your Packaging Categories
Dive deep into the specifics of Metal, Glass, and Label packaging. Understand current trends, challenges, and innovations in these areas. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've developed and executed sourcing strategies in the past. Be ready to discuss measurable outcomes like cost savings or improved supplier performance. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver value, which is crucial for this role.
✨Build on Your Cross-Functional Experience
Highlight your experience working with teams across different functions such as R&D, Operations, and Finance. Share specific instances where you influenced stakeholders or led negotiations, showcasing your collaborative approach and leadership skills.
✨Emphasise Sustainability and Risk Management
Given the focus on sustainability and risk in the job description, prepare to discuss how you've addressed these issues in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've implemented dual sourcing strategies or supported compliance with regulations, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
