At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategy and supplier management for innovative packaging machinery.
- Company: Dynamic Leeds-based business focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative environment, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in exciting innovation projects.
- Why this job: Shape the future of machinery strategy and drive real impact in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or category management with strong technical understanding.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
SF Recruitment are exclusively working with a Leeds based business who are looking for a highly technical and commercially driven Category Manager to be responsible for Machinery to lead sourcing strategy and supplier management for capital equipment across a growing packaging operation. This is a key role combining deep technical expertise with strategic procurement capability, covering mechanical systems, automation, and full production line integration. You will play a critical role in driving innovation, cost optimisation, and performance improvements through supplier collaboration and continuous technology evaluation.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute category strategies for packaging machinery
- Align sourcing strategies with operational, engineering, and capital investment plans
- Lead long-term supplier roadmap development, focusing on innovation and total cost of ownership
- Technical Sourcing & Engineering Integration
- Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to define technical specifications
- Evaluate machinery design, mechanical systems, and automation capabilities
- Support equipment standardisation and modularisation across sites
- Lead technical reviews and feasibility assessments for new investments
- Supplier & OEM Management
- Manage relationships with OEMs, system integrators, and specialist engineering suppliers
- Drive supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and technical capability
- Support contract negotiations for capital equipment and lifecycle services
- Develop strategic supplier partnerships to drive innovation
- Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Identify and implement new technologies (automation, robotics, digitalisation)
- Lead value engineering initiatives to optimise performance and reduce costs
- Champion sustainability improvements in machinery efficiency and waste reduction
- Reverse Engineering & Cost Optimisation
- Analyse existing machinery to identify cost-saving opportunities
- Apply reverse engineering techniques to improve systems and components
- Benchmark equipment against market alternatives
- Project & CAPEX Procurement
- Lead procurement activities for capital expenditure projects
- Support installation, commissioning, and acceptance of machinery
- Align procurement with engineering and project delivery timelines
- Mitigate risks associated with large-scale investments
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in procurement or category management within manufacturing, packaging machinery, or industrial equipment
- Strong technical understanding of mechanical systems, automation, and production integration
- Experience working with OEMs and engineering suppliers
- Track record in CAPEX procurement and contract negotiation
- Knowledge of value engineering, reverse engineering, and cost modelling
- Strong analytical and project management skills
Qualifications
- Background in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or similar
- Professional certifications (e.g. CIPS, Six Sigma) are advantageous
About You
- Technically curious with a strong innovation mindset
- Commercially astute with strategic thinking capability
- Confident working cross-functionally with engineering and operations
- Detail-oriented and structured in your approach
- Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
What’s on Offer
- Opportunity to shape machinery strategy within a growing organisation
- Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and innovation projects
- Collaborative environment across procurement, engineering, and operations
- Competitive salary and benefits package
If you’re looking to take ownership of a highly technical category and make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Category Manager in Bradford employer: SF Partners
Join a forward-thinking Leeds-based organisation that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise as a Category Manager will directly influence the future of packaging machinery. With a commitment to employee growth, you will have access to cutting-edge technologies and opportunities for professional development, all while enjoying a competitive salary and benefits package in a supportive environment that champions sustainability and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Bradford
✨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 products. Understand their machinery and packaging operations so you can speak their language and show how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your technical expertise! Bring examples of past projects where you’ve driven innovation or cost optimisation. This will demonstrate your value and how you can contribute to their category strategy.
✨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 Category Manager in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager. Highlight your experience in procurement and any technical expertise you have in machinery or automation. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in category management and how you've driven innovation in past positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role requires a strong technical understanding, don’t shy away from showcasing your knowledge of mechanical systems and automation. We want to know how you can contribute to our machinery strategy and supplier management.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Partners
✨Know Your Machinery Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge about packaging machinery, mechanical systems, and automation. Be prepared to discuss specific technologies and how they can drive innovation and cost optimisation in the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've developed and executed category strategies in the past. Highlight your experience with supplier management and how you've aligned sourcing strategies with operational plans to demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical specifications and feasibility assessments during the interview. Familiarise yourself with reverse engineering techniques and be ready to discuss how you've applied them to improve systems or reduce costs.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with engineering and operations teams, prepare to share examples of successful collaborations. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively across departments and how that has led to successful project outcomes.
