Category Manager - Packaging in London

Reporting Location: London - 16 Hatfields

Workplace Type: Hybrid

ABOUT US

tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world’s leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions – from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery. Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald’s, T‑Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas. Most importantly, we’re a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.

WHAT MATTERS THE MOST

Breakthrough, business‑driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever‑evolving. tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice!

At tms we believe that from day one our job is to prepare you, develop you, train you and invest in you so that while with us you will become ready to take on the next challenge better prepared than you thought possible. So whether you’re here for a meeting, a project, or a career – be prepared to Leave Changed.

WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE

As a Category Manager at HAVI/TMS, you will play a pivotal role in identifying, developing and managing key supply partners that can deliver against our client needs. You will lead strategic sourcing initiatives related to a determined product category including supplier capital investments, supplier relationship management, value creation partnering with product development, innovation and sustainability. This role requires a customer‑first mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to collaborate cross‑functionally in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned packaging categories, including supplier selection, onboarding, allocation, and sourcing events.
• Own and manage relationships with key suppliers, delivering the supplier engagement framework and driving long‑term innovation through strategic alignment and regular reviews (e.g., T2T, QBRs).
• Serve as the Commercial Lead for the supply base, overseeing negotiations, contract finalization, and pricing strategies across assigned categories.
• Support local market projects and savings initiatives in collaboration with Product Development (PD) teams and commercial teams, contributing to cost optimization and innovation.
• Act as the escalation point for supplier‑related issues, including quality, capacity, pricing, and commercialization challenges.
• Lead promotional feasibility and capacity strategy development to support McDonald’s marketing and brand goals.
• Support Stage Gate processes from early concept (0–3) through execution (4–6), ensuring supplier readiness and sourcing alignment.
• Review and ensure compliance with spend forecasts, contributing to accurate financial planning and reporting.
• Own the cost savings pipeline, identifying and delivering sourcing efficiencies across the EU region.
• Scout, develop and validate new suppliers that strengthen the supply base.
• Lead quarterly pricing forecasts (QPF) and contribute to global cost circularity initiatives.
• Make strategic recommendations and decisions within the Source‑to‑Contract (S2C) framework.
• Maintain strategic oversight of assured supply (risk register) and serve as an escalation point for supply assurance, pricing, and quality issues.
• Develop and maintain contingency plans for assigned categories, ensuring supply continuity and cost stability.
• Deliver packaging management playbooks (e.g., risk management, capacity control) and embed a quality‑first mindset in sourcing activities.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal teams on spend forecasting, savings tracking, supplier financial health assessments, and compliance systems (e.g., Traqtion).
• Support regional supplier strategies aligned with EU‑wide sourcing goals and sustainability initiatives.

• Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster strong relationships with McDonald’s stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor and escalation point for supplier‑related issues.
• Understand and respond to regional trends (e.g., sustainability, regulatory compliance) and contribute to strategic programs like STEP.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

• Qualifications & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain sourcing, preferably in a manufacturing environment; Proven experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, or procurement preferably within packaging, FMCG, or QSR sectors.
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
• Commercial mindset and customer focus.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Familiarity with risk management, packaging related sustainability trends, and compliance frameworks.
• Proficiency in data analysis and forecasting tools.

• Preferred Attributes:

• Passion for customer service and a client‑first mindset.
• Client facing experience in consultancy or other relevant environment.
• Ability to thrive in a matrixed, cross‑functional environment.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Strategic thinker with a hands‑on approach to problem‑solving.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus.

If you have any questions about the job, we are open to discussing this role further, so please feel free to get in touch.