At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and manage supplier relationships for key product categories.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at tms, driving change for top global brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and a culture of inclusion.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Make an impact by innovating and optimising supply chains for major clients.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in supply chain sourcing with strong negotiation and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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.
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 Mc Donald'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!
Visit us at tmsw. com.
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 relationship management, value creation partnering, innovation and sustainability.
This role requires a customer-first minds, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to collaborate cross-functional in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- What You Will Bring To The Organization
- Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned Operating Supplies 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 key internal and external stakeholders, 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 Mc Donald's 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.
- Risk & Contingency Planning
- 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 Operating Supplies 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
- Support regional supplier strategies aligned with EU-wide sourcing goals and sustainability initiatives.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Foster strong relationships with Mc Donald'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 SRM
Qualifications & Experience
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE
- 5+ years of experience in supply chain sourcing, preferably in a manufacturing environment;
- Proven experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, or procurement preferably within Operating Supplies, FMCG, or QSR sectors.
- Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.
- Commercial mindset and customer focus.
- Experience managing complex supplier networks across multiple markets.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Familiarity with risk management, Operating Supplies 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.
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Category Manager - Operating Supplies employer: tms
As a progressive employer, we prioritise the growth and well-being of our employees, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our People Partner role is designed to empower you to make a meaningful impact on employee experience and engagement while benefiting from comprehensive support in your professional development. Located in a vibrant area, we provide unique opportunities for networking and career advancement within a globally distributed team, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Operating Supplies
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at tms, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Category Manager - Operating Supplies.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Operating Supplies
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at tms. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research tms and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at tms
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at tms.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by tms
Look into any unique supply chain challenges tms might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
