Category Manager – Maintenance & Services

About the role

The MRO Category Lead will drive the strategy and execution of the Maintenance & Services category for a leading FMCG/CPG manufacturing client. Reporting to senior leadership, the role combines strategic vision with hands‑on governance to deliver measurable cost savings and operational improvements.

Key responsibilities

• Define and implement the overall MRO category and sourcing strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Lead a regional delivery team of category managers, sourcing specialists and buyers, setting priorities and removing obstacles.
• Establish governance cadences, escalation paths and steering forums to keep stakeholders aligned.
• Conduct spend analysis, total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization and identify consolidation, standardisation and preferred‑supplier opportunities.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing models, service level agreements (SLAs) and master service agreements (MSAs).
• Support regional buyers in sourcing projects and drive continuous improvement, cost reduction and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Act as senior point of contact and strategic partner to the client, presenting delivery status, risks and value creation to executives.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading MRO or similar category strategies in manufacturing, FMCG or CPG environments.
• Strong stakeholder‑engagement and consultative skills, with a track record of influencing senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to manage end‑to‑end category lifecycles and deliver quantifiable benefits.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and governance‑setup capabilities.

Required skills