Junior Category Specialist

Supporting the delivery of strategic procurement initiatives across multiple regional and global Good for Resale spend subcategories with an annual spend of c.£50M.

Providing robust data, analysis, and reporting to enable category optimisation, sourcing activity, and supplier performance improvement, supporting the delivery of commercial value, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency across the organisation.

• Provide administrative and coordination support to Category Managers and Category Specialists across direct procurement categories
• Collect, cleanse, and maintain spend data, supplier information, and contract records to support category activity and reporting
• Produce regular procurement reports and dashboards, including spend tracking, savings tracking, and supplier performance data
• Support sourcing activities by assisting with RFQs, tender documentation, and bid comparisons, ensuring data accuracy and completeness
• Maintain procurement systems and databases, ensuring supplier and contract data is accurate and up to date
• Assist in monitoring supplier performance by updating KPIs, scorecards, and tracking actions from supplier review meetings
• Support the implementation of procurement processes, policies, and governance standards across sites and business units
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to gather requirements, data inputs, and updates required for sourcing and reporting activities
• Support onboarding of new suppliers and ensure documentation, compliance checks, and system setup are completed
• Assist with ESG and sustainability data collection, including supplier certifications, emissions data, and compliance records
• Provide general administrative and project support to procurement and supply chain initiatives as required

• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy
• Good Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, basic analysis)
• Organised with strong administrative and coordination capability
• Clear communication and willingness to learn
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Commercial outlook
• Degree educated or equivalent (& proven track record)
• Specialist Sourcing Qualification (CIPS)
• Prior experience in manufacturing
• Prior experience of managing business critical suppliers

• Discretionary Annual Bonus
• Up to 5% matched pension contribution
• 4x annual salary life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Extra paid day off for your birthday
• Paid day off for volunteering
• Employee discounts through My Discounts platform
• Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

This is a hybrid role, with 2-3 days per week based in our Jarrow office.

Essentra plc is a leading global provider of essential components and solutions, focusing on the manufacture and distribution of plastic injection moulded, vinyl dip moulded and metal items.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Essentra's global network extends to 28 countries worldwide and includes c.3,000 employees, 14 manufacturing facilities, 26 distribution centres and 37 sales & service centres serving c.64,000 customers with a rapid supply of low cost but essential products for a variety of applications in industries such as equipment manufacturing, automotive, fabrication, electronics, medical and renewable energy.