Capex Category Manager

Purpose:

The Capex Category Manager will lead the strategic procurement of capital investment across Panda’s UK and Ireland operations, ensuring that major capital projects deliver measurable value, support safe operations, and contribute to long-term, sustainable EBITDA.

This role owns the end-to-end commercial lifecycle of capital expenditure, including waste processing equipment, fleet, plant, and site infrastructure. Working closely with operations, engineering, and finance, you will ensure capital investments are robustly specified, commercially optimised, and delivered in line with Panda’s growth, safety, and transformation objectives.

Operating within a newly transformed procurement environment, this role plays a critical part in embedding new systems, controls, and data-driven decision-making ensuring Panda continues to invest wisely, safely, and consistently.

Scope of accountability:

End-to-End Capex Category Ownership

• Full accountability for Panda’s capital expenditure category, from sourcing strategy through to contract award and supplier performance.

Value, ROI & Cost Control

• Ensure all capital investments deliver strong return on investment, total cost of ownership optimisation, and sustainable EBITDA impact.

UK & Ireland Delivery

• Lead sourcing and contracting activity across both jurisdictions, ensuring consistency, compliance, and scale benefits.

Supplier Governance & Safety

• Own commercial governance of Capex suppliers and contractors, ensuring high safety, quality, and performance standards.

Transformation Alignment

• Ensure all Capex procurement activity aligns with new systems, processes, and controls introduced through the Group transformation programme.

Key Responsibilities:

Capex Strategy & Sourcing

• Develop and deliver Capex category strategies that support Panda’s growth and operational requirements.
• Lead sourcing activity for major capital equipment, plant, fleet, and infrastructure projects.
• Work with operational and engineering teams to define clear, robust specifications.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Lead negotiation of high-value engineering, equipment supply, and construction contracts.
• Apply rigorous total cost of ownership (TCO) and value engineering principles to all investment decisions.
• Manage contract structures to ensure commercial protection, scalability, and long-term value.

Safety, Quality & Operational Excellence

• Ensure capital equipment and infrastructure solutions improve on-site safety and operational reliability.
• Source suppliers and contractors that meet Panda’s safety, compliance, and quality standards.
• Support the delivery of “best practice” sites and assets across the Group.

Transformation & Data-Led Decision Making

• Embed the use of new procurement and operational systems in Capex decision-making.
• Use accurate data, business cases, and financial analysis to support investment decisions.
• Improve visibility, governance, and consistency of capital spend.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner closely with site leadership, operations, engineering, finance, and procurement colleagues.
• Act as a trusted commercial advisor to the business, balancing operational need with financial discipline.
• Work in line with Panda’s “One Team” ethos, providing a professional, responsive service to stakeholders.

Brand & Reputation

• Ensure capital assets, suppliers, and contractor relationships reflect Panda’s professional, modern, and high-quality brand.
• Maintain high standards of conduct and governance across all supplier engagements.

Experience and Skills:

Essential

• Proven experience managing large-scale capital expenditure categories in a complex operational environment.
• Strong commercial capability, with demonstrable experience delivering ROI, cost control, and value engineering.
• Experience negotiating complex engineering, equipment, or construction contracts.
• Ability to understand technical and operational requirements and translate them into commercial solutions.
• Confident stakeholder manager, comfortable working with senior leaders and site teams.

Desirable

• Experience within waste management, utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing, or heavy industry.
• Exposure to procurement transformation programmes or new system implementations.

We are Panda. We value waste.

We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.

Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
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