Category Specialist (Maternity Cover)

Sourcing Category Specialist

Job location: Ashton, United Kingdom, Hybrid.

At Mativ, we are solving our customers' most complex challenges through innovative specialty materials and engineered solutions. With over 5,000 employees globally and operations across four continents, we are committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and performance in industries ranging from healthcare and filtration to sustainable packaging.

We are currently seeking an experienced Sourcing Category Specialist to join our Global Sourcing team on a fixed-term maternity cover contract of up to 12 months. This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced global manufacturing environment and enjoys delivering measurable value through strategic sourcing and supplier management.

What You'll Be Doing

As a key member of the Global Procurement Organization, you will:

• Develop and execute category strategies that deliver cost savings, risk mitigation, and business value.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and competitive bidding processes.
• Analyze spend data and market trends to identify sourcing opportunities and influence business decisions.
• Conduct supplier evaluations, RFPs, reverse auctions, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders across multiple global locations.
• Develop and maintain supplier relationships while driving performance and continuous improvement.
• Provide category expertise and market intelligence to support sourcing strategies.

What We're Looking For

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• 5+ years of strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation experience
• Experience developing and implementing category strategies and delivering measurable savings
• Strong analytical skills, including spend analysis and cost modelling
• Experience sourcing within a global manufacturing environment
• The ability to influence stakeholders and lead cross-functional projects
• Experience working across multiple regions, including Europe, North America, and Asia
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the wider Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Experience

• Category expertise in substrates such as textiles, nonwovens, fabrics, or related manufacturing materials.
• Experience managing indirect spend categories.
• Knowledge of advanced sourcing tools and methodologies, including reverse auctions and group purchasing programs.

Why Join Mativ?

At Mativ, you'll work with talented colleagues across the globe, contribute to meaningful business initiatives, and help shape procurement strategies that directly impact our growth and success. We foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous development while providing the flexibility of a hybrid working environment.

Interested?

If you're a strategic sourcing professional looking for your next challenge and are excited by the opportunity to make an immediate impact within a global organization, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and join Mativ as our next Sourcing Category Specialist (12-Month Maternity Cover).