At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead packaging strategies and sourcing activities across EMEA for iconic brands.
- Company: Join Kimberly-Clark, a leader in consumer goods with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, competitive salary, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global brands while driving sustainability and innovation.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement with strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Andrex®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional®. At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact. You were made to create Better Care for a Better World: as a person, you’re a problem-solver – a connector – someone who thrives on creating order from complexity and driving continuous improvement. You see the big picture while mastering the details, ensuring that every product, process, and partnership flows with precision and purpose. You live your life in alignment with the highest values of integrity, efficiency, and collaboration, always working to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s success stories. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world.
This role will be part of Kimberly Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business—an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact. As Kimberly-Clark forms a strategic partnership with Suzano to create a world-class international tissue and professional products company, this role is proposed to transfer to the new venture once the transaction closes, anticipated in mid-2026, subject to consultation and other applicable legal requirements. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new global leader backed by two industry powerhouses. You’ll be part of a high-potential business that combines Kimberly-Clark’s iconic brands and commercial excellence with Suzano’s industrial and sustainability leadership.
In one of our Supply Chain roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. In this role, you will be an experienced, self-driven and agile individual, who will lead selected spend areas within the Packaging Category in EMEA. You will make a difference by developing regional category strategies, leading local execution and partnering with the technical teams to influence multi-functional internal stakeholders – from peers to senior leaders - to deliver winning solutions to be the best at shelf, assure cost efficiency, service excellence, high standard quality, innovation, sustainability & regulatory compliance.
This role will be responsible for but not limited to:
- Manage Packaging sourcing activities for the EMEA region (including but not limited to flexibles and stretch wrap).
- Responsible for driving all procurement targets for the EMEA Packaging categories in scope.
- Develop & manage supplier relationships.
- Develop category strategies and execution plans based on input from benchmarking activities, analysis of supplier landscape and market dynamics, assess supplier landscape and category trends.
- Collaborate with Finance to provide financial forecasts for Packaging.
- Ensure quality & risk management, including Supplier Code of Conduct and Social Responsibility, compliance per defined internal controls and policies in category area.
- Facilitate effective communications between suppliers and internal business partners to ensure near and longer-term Business needs (quality, service, innovation and cost to use) are met ongoing.
- Develop and maintain expertise on vendor selection and translating this to competitive vendor strategies and objectives which lead to a more favourable business position than competition or other competitive advantage for the company.
- Ensure compliance with established corporate financial controls within the department by providing operating management direction and support to the implementation and maintenance of financial policies, instructions, and internal control procedures.
To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.
- 5+ 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 organisation’s while balancing diverse business needs.
- Working knowledge of COUPA, MS Office, and other procurement tools.
This role requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
Total Benefits: We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you.
- 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, great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
- Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.
- Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.
Flex That Works at Kimberly-Clark: We believe great work happens when people come together with purpose. That’s why we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate while maintaining the balance you value.
To Be Considered: Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role. In the meantime, please check out the careers website.
And finally, the fine print…. For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are 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. This role is available for local candidates already authorised to work in the role’s country only. Kimberly-Clark will not provide relocation support for this role.
Packaging Category Lead and EMEA CM employer: Kimberly-Clark
Contact Detail:
Kimberly-Clark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Packaging Category Lead and EMEA CM
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with the role. Keep it concise but impactful—think of it as your personal brand statement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Packaging Category Lead and EMEA CM
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Packaging Category Lead role. Highlight your experience in procurement and category management, and show how your skills align with our mission of delivering better care.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: We love problem-solvers! Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges and driven continuous improvement in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and qualifications shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply directly through our careers website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets into the right hands quickly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kimberly-Clark
✨Know Your Packaging Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the packaging industry trends, especially in EMEA. Familiarise yourself with the latest innovations and sustainability practices. This will not only show your passion but also your ability to connect with the company's mission of creating better care.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully tackled complex challenges in procurement or category management. Highlight how you created order from chaos and drove continuous improvement, as these are key traits they’re looking for.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
Think about how you've influenced various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your communication strategies and how you’ve built relationships across different levels of an organisation. This is crucial for a role that requires collaboration with technical teams and senior leaders.
✨Align with Their Values
Research Kimberly-Clark’s core values and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Emphasise your commitment to integrity, efficiency, and collaboration, and how these principles have guided your professional journey.