Category Specialist - Logistics (m/w/d)

About us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 60,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

About the role

Here at DS Smith, we are looking for an experienced Category Specialist within Logistics, supporting our Central EMEA Packaging teams.

Reporting into the Central EMEA Logistics Category Manager, the Category Specialist will work collaboratively with stakeholders across the business and will support the management of c£120M spend across the Logistics category in the Region. Key stakeholders are across the group, region and key functions: including Operations, Supply Chain, Legal and Finance.

This role shall partner with key stakeholders to co-create and align on the optimal ‘supplier segmentation and management model’ for Logistics to maximise value and support business goals.

As the successful candidate, you will support the development and execution commercial procurement strategies that create a competitive advantage across DS Smith.  You will be part of the Group Procurement Function which is accountable for:

• Shaping and aligning the Procurement strategy to support the achievement of business goals including growth, innovation, ESG (inc. Scope 3) and manufacturing excellence.

• Partnering with stakeholders to ensuring the function competitively sources quality products and supplier services whilst maintaining and building strong relationships with strategic suppliers in line with group Innovation, ESG and Diversity, Equality and Inclusion goals.

• Partnering differently across the value chain to create innovative business offerings that delight our customers and support business growth.

• Leveraging our scale across Packaging, Paper and Recycling divisions

Key responsibilities:

• Support the development and implementation of 1–3-year category strategies, to include execution roadmaps to deliver this strategy with short, medium and long term initiatives.

• Alignment with Regional procurement on strategies and accountability for delivery of execution plans.

• Support the development and implementation of long-term, integrated category strategies that drive holistic supplier performance.   These strategies include value creation across multiple dimensions, including cost, innovation, top line performance and sustainability (ESG) leadership.

• For the spend portfolio, understanding and responding to market intelligence and economic fundamentals to leverage the optimal time to go to market for pricing and value.

• Delivering supplier strategies which actively anticipate and reduce supplier risk (e.g. sole supplier risk, financial health, data privacy, information security, modern slavery) and secure competitive supply. Partnering with group stakeholders and Procurement Excellence Teams to understand and embed agreed risk standards across portfolio.

• Ensuring appropriate Supplier contracting strategies are in place across the portfolio to mitigate legal and regulatory exposure.

• Ensure a robust strategy across the portfolio, to embed and ensure accountability on relevant Supplier KPIs.

• Oversee the delivery of the portfolio initiatives. These projects could apply a variety of strategies and levers including tendering, e-auctions and cost negotiations, price benchmarking, supplier consolidation and rationalisation, make vs buy/or lease, demand and policy levers, price negotiations to support changes and growth etc.

• Management of large-scale supplier market tender approaches and negotiations end to end.

About you:

• Deep knowledge and experience in procurement:  with experience in a Procurement Category role, ideally in a manufacturing organisation, or as a consultant.

• Experience within Logistics category management  

• Experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies.

• Experience in managing a range of complex procurement sourcing and contracting negotiations.

• Demonstrable track record in influencing in a matrix environment.

• Strong analytical and storytelling skills.

• Degree level or equivalent by experience. Bachelor's degree

• Strong communication skills with ability to influence in a matrix environment.

“To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.”

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