How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
EP Group
EP Group is an award-winning, global packaging manufacturer with production facilities across Europe and South East Asia.
Our global headquarters in Birmingham is home to our dedicated paper manufacturing division providing a wide range of food packaging products for the likes of McDonalds, Amazon, Marks & Spencer, and Greggs. We are fully BRC accredited, delivering globally recognised standards in quality, safety, and responsibility.
We are now seeking a Category Manager to join our dynamic purchasing team to autonomously manage a diverse category and product range. The role will involve working with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers on a global basis to best support our needs and the needs of our customers.
Reporting into the Head of Purchasing, you will be supported by a team of Category Assistants to develop and drive the category strategy and grow the category in terms of sales and profitability.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Accountabilities
- Creation and execution of category strategy to grow the category in terms of both sales and profitability.
- Develop Category plans in line with strategy.
- Develop annual calendar of supplier tenders.
- Drive best cost first-time initiatives through the purchasing department.
- Plan for future development within the category and wider business requirements.
- Plan supplier and trade show visits.
- Supplier base management to ensure company is dealing with the most appropriate suppliers to deliver its objectives.
- Understanding processes and costs involved with manufacturing, raw materials, and distribution through to end use.
- Drive innovation working with internal departments to develop new ideas to future proof the business.
- Category and product life-cycle management.
- Holistic category and product knowledge to provide subject matter expertise both internally and to customers.
- Being the final point of escalation for internal stakeholder issues within the purchasing department.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Essential Experience
- Experience of managing a category within a purchasing function
- Experience in retail, packaging, or FMCG would be a distinct advantage
- Be results-focused and be able to demonstrate a record of successful cost reduction activities
- Be an experienced negotiator
- Demonstrated experience of driving a category strategy with clear achievements in terms of profitability, reduced spend, or increased margins
- Be able to work autonomously and as part of a team
- Be commercially focused
- Be a strong communicator
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills