Category Manager - Packaging

Category Manager - Packaging

Reporting

Location:

London - 16 Hatfields

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

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 McDonald’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 henticity 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

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 capital investments, supplier relationship management, value creation partnering with product development, innovation and sustainability. This role requires a customer‑first mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to collaborate cross‑functionally in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for assigned packaging 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 Product Development (PD) teams and commercial teams, 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 McDonald’s marketing and brand 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.
• 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 packaging management playbooks (e.g., risk management, capacity control) and embed a quality‑first mindset in sourcing activities.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partn…