Category Manager

Overview

Location: Portadown, Craigavon, United Kingdom. Earnings: Salary discussed on application. The post holder will be responsible for providing leadership direction for the design of robust Commodity Strategies to support the business goals, lead a global category focal point for the business and provide industry-leading category management expertise to the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the outsourced spend for the specific commodity spend Category, Composites. Build, maintain and manage scaled & critical strategic supplier relationships.
• Accountability for significant and sustained cost savings for their Category, on an on-going basis.
• Ensure key input into the overall Make vs Buy strategy, identifying opportunities and synergies both within the supply chain and current Make portfolio.
• Provide strategic leadership to key business transformation and outsourcing projects and leverage strong project and change management skills to manage complex and high value outsourcing and re-sourcing projects.
• Drive sustainable and ethical sourcing practices across the organisation. Influencing stakeholders at the highest level within the business unit, suppliers, and customers.
• Management of strategic sourcing, search, and supplier evaluations; conducting RFPs / tender / commercial negotiation processes.
• Manage multiple supplier relationships and projects to balance supply chain competition.
• Secure a global supply base that meets the organisation’s cost and performance targets.
• Drive continuous improvements for the Category / group of commodities.
• Negotiate and implement LTAs and subcontracts.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on analysis, research, industry trends, benchmarking, and best practices.

Benefits

• Reward Competitive salary
• Annual bonus (linked to company performance)
• Flexi time working
• £5,000 employee referral bonus
• Health cash plan
• Contributory Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme – Salary Sacrifice
• Electric Car Scheme – Salary Sacrifice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance Scheme at x4 gross salary
• Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• IVF & Assisted Conception Policy
• Women in Business – Corporate Member
• Wellbeing Initiatives
• Employee Recognition scheme
• Service Awards
• Local charity / sponsorship activities
• Dedicated employee parking
• Discounted Gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career progression

Requirements

• Essential: > 5 years’ experience in Supply Chain / Strategic Procurement within a technology / aerospace company with at least 3 years in composites background.
• Category Supply Market knowledge.
• Proven track record of managing strategic sourcing processes and critical supplier relationships and of leading complex sourcing evaluation process and outsourcing.
• Demonstrated experience influencing senior executives.
• Bachelor’s degree ideally in Engineering, Business, Operations, Strategy or related field.
• Skilled negotiator adept at managing complex negotiations at management level with both external and internal stakeholders.
• Expertise in delivering change programmes to switch supply base to achieve lower cost / improved performance whilst retaining secure supply.
• Project and Change management experience with strong leadership and team development.
• Desirable: Ideally CIPS Master / Advanced Practitioner or equivalent.
• We reserve the right to enhance criteria on shortlisting.
• Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.
• The closing date for applications is 19 July 2026 at 17:00.
• To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.

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