Category Manager – Indirects

Purpose:

The Category Manager – Indirects will own and lead the commercial strategy for all non-production spend across Panda during a critical phase of transformation and growth.

This role acts as the commercial lead for a diverse range of indirect categories including Facilities Management, PPE, Insurance, Office Supplies, and Professional Services. You will ensure that these investments are commercially robust, scalable, and aligned to Panda’s strategic objectives — including the delivery of sustainable, recurring EBITDA improvement.

You will play a key role in enabling Panda’s “new ways of working” by sourcing and optimising the services and supplies that support our operational efficiency, safety standards, and internal team requirements.

Scope of accountability:

End-to-End Indirect Category Ownership
Full accountability for indirect categories, including Facilities Management (FM), PPE and Workwear, Insurance, Office Supplies, MRO, and Professional Services.

Cost, Value & Risk Management
Deliver recurring savings, cost avoidance, and value creation across the indirect budget while managing supplier risk, health & safety compliance, and contractual exposure.

Business Partnering Act as the primary commercial interface between Procurement and internal functions (HR, Finance, Operations, H&S), translating operational requirements into commercially optimised agreements.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy & Sourcing

• Develop and execute Indirect category strategies aligned to Panda’s growth plans and operating model.
• Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, tail-spend management, and improved commercial terms across multi-site operations.
• Lead sourcing and tender processes for complex service contracts (e.g., Cleaning, Security, Insurance).

Commercial & Contract Management

• Lead negotiations on service level agreements (SLAs) and framework contracts, with
  a focus on scalability, flexibility, and long-term value.
• Manage contract lifecycle activity including renewals, renegotiations, and performance reviews to ensure service quality.
• Ensure commercial structures support future growth and avoid unnecessary cost escalation.

Transformation & Operational Enablement

• Partner closely with Operations and HR to embed standardisation across PPE and office supplies, ensuring items are fit-for-purpose and commercially sound.
• Challenge specifications where appropriate to ensure solutions meet safety and quality standards without unnecessary gold-plating.
• Support the implementation of e-procurement or P2P systems to streamline indirect purchasing.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong, professional relationships with key indirect suppliers, holding them accountable to agreed service levels and safety outcomes.
• Act as a trusted business partner to functional leadership and wider stakeholders.
• Promote Panda’s “One Team” approach while maintaining firm commercial governance.

Safety, Compliance & ESG

• Support the sourcing of PPE and facilities solutions that protect Panda’s workforce and comply with Health & Safety regulations.
• Ensure suppliers meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, contributing to Panda's sustainability goals.
• Monitor insurance requirements and ensure comprehensive coverage through
• strategic broker and underwriter management.

Data-Led Decision Making

• Ensure indirect procurement decisions are supported by accurate spend data, clear business cases, and measurable outcomes.
• Track and report on savings, cost avoidance, and commercial performance across all assigned categories.

Experience and Skills:

Essential

• Proven experience in Indirect Category
• Management or Procurement within a complex, multi-site organisation.
• Strong understanding of Facilities Management, PPE, Insurance, and Corporate Services.
• Demonstrable experience negotiating complex, high-value framework agreements.
• Ability to operate as a true business partner to diverse stakeholders (Ops, Finance, H&S).
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering savings and TCO Total Cost of Ownership) value.

Desirable

• Experience supporting large-scale transformation or systems implementation programmes.
• Exposure to vendor consolidation and operating-model change

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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