Global Ocean Freight & Logistics Category Lead

Global Ocean Freight & Logistics Category Lead

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Kimberly-Clark Corporation

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global ocean freight and logistics strategies for iconic brands.
  • Company: Join Kimberly-Clark, a leader in consumer goods with a commitment to innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy market-leading pension, flexible savings, private medical insurance, and education support.
  • Other info: Opportunity to travel and engage with global stakeholders in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of logistics while working with top-tier brands and diverse teams.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a degree in business or supply chain.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies, Kleenex, Andrex, Scott, Kotex, Poise, and Kimberly-Clark Professional. This role will be part of Kimberly-Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business and will support a partnership with Suzano to create a world‑class international tissue and professional products company. The position will lead global ocean freight and logistics spend (~$300M) and shape category strategies.

Responsibilities

  • Develop global category strategies and execution plan.
  • Assess supplier landscape and category trends to drive value delivery for the category.
  • Develop and manage the ocean freight strategy globally.
  • Drive benchmarking activities, share updates on best practices, trends, and market insights, and coordinate forecasting activities for logistics procurement.
  • Identify and manage execution of strategic category initiatives.
  • Manage, track, and report on Global Logistics spend / sourcing initiatives & savings in the internal tool in collaboration with regional procurement teams.
  • Manage cross‑regional senior level engagement with business stakeholders on logistics services needs and strategy.
  • Lead the development of global category strategies for logistics aligned to business needs.
  • Drive global category strategies to deliver top‑tier results through structured negotiations, coaching, and capitalising on digital capabilities of eSourcing and eAuctions.
  • Create and lead global logistics procurement communities to connect and coach regional buyers responsible for regional and local logistics procurement activities.
  • Support the creation and maintenance of category knowledge and processes to ensure strategies remain informed and relevant.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of procurement and category management experience, ideally within a CPG company.
  • Strong category strategy, negotiation, and delivery skills, with a track record of achieving results.
  • Strong problem‑solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
  • Ability to work effectively across global regions, cultures, and matrix organisations while balancing diverse business needs.
  • Working knowledge of COUPA, MS Office, and other procurement tools.
  • Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Benefits

  • Market‑leading pension contribution.
  • Bonus scheme.
  • Flexible savings and spending accounts to maximise health care options and stretch pounds when caring for yourself or dependents.
  • Private medical insurance with coverage options for medical, dental, and vision care.
  • Diverse income protection insurance options.
  • Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

Kimberly‑Clark is a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position. Employment is subject to verification of local policies.

Global Ocean Freight & Logistics Category Lead employer: Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Kimberly-Clark is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the Global Ocean Freight & Logistics team. Employees benefit from a market-leading pension scheme, comprehensive health care options, and robust support for personal and professional growth, including education and relocation assistance. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Kimberly-Clark provides a meaningful workplace where every individual can thrive and contribute to iconic brands that make a difference in people's lives.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Contact Details:

Kimberly-Clark Corporation Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Ocean Freight & Logistics Category Lead

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

Tip Number 3

Practice your negotiation skills! As a Global Ocean Freight & Logistics Category Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong negotiation abilities. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach.

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 are proactive about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Global Ocean Freight & Logistics Category Lead

Category Strategy Development
Negotiation Skills
Stakeholder Management
Procurement Experience
Logistics Management
Cross-Regional Collaboration
Data Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your procurement and category management experience, especially in CPG companies, to show us you’re the right fit!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role. Share specific examples of how you've developed category strategies or managed logistics spend in the past – we love a good story!

Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention your strong problem-solving and communication skills. We want to see how you’ve influenced stakeholders and navigated complex environments in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Know Your Category Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the global ocean freight and logistics landscape. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and best practices. This will not only show your passion for the role but also help you engage in meaningful discussions about category strategies.

Showcase Your Negotiation Skills

Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you achieved results through structured approaches and digital tools like eSourcing. This will demonstrate your capability to drive top-tier results, which is crucial for this position.

Understand Stakeholder Management

Think about how you've influenced stakeholders at various levels in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your communication strategies and how you’ve balanced diverse business needs across global regions. This will showcase your ability to manage cross-regional engagements effectively.

Be Ready to Discuss Tools and Technologies

Brush up on your knowledge of procurement tools like COUPA and MS Office. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools to track and report on logistics spend or sourcing initiatives. This will highlight your technical proficiency and readiness to hit the ground running.