Head of Category - Engineering Services Materials & Warehouse

Head of Category - Engineering Services Materials & Warehouse Location: Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, Ellesmere Port Employment Type: Site Based Full Time Role 5 days per week Monday-Friday Competitive salary 10% company contribution pension 25 days holiday, increasing with service Private medical insurance Additional flex benefits, including holiday purchase Access to Employee Assistance Programme with exclusive access to a range of Discounts Free secure on-site car parking About the Company EET (Essar Energy Transition) vision is to be the leading producer of low carbon fuels and establish a blueprint energy transition hub in the North West. EET plays a major role in supplying the Northwest and the wider UK with essential fuels. We produce over 16% of the UK’s road transport fuels, supply key feedstocks to the petrochemical industry, and are investing heavily in low‑carbon energy solutions. We work with major retail fuel brands, supermarkets, Manchester Airport, leading airlines, and regional transport operators. We are also a key partner in the HyNet project, helping to deliver the region’s low‑carbon future. With over 900 skilled colleagues, we offer a strong safety culture, technically challenging work, and some of the best training in the energy sector. Find out more: Redefining Energy | EET THE OPPORTUNITY Lead a high-performing Procurement and Supply Management team responsible for critical operational and strategic spend. You will ensure security of supply, operational reliability and commercial value across the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex, while partnering with senior leaders to shape category strategy, supplier performance and contract outcomes. TECHNICAL SCOPE: Engineering and turnaround services; mechanical, scaffolding and insulation; MRO; static and rotating equipment; facilities management; and warehouse operations. WHAT YOU WILL DO • Lead category strategies across engineering services, materials and warehouse operations, managing significant spend and contracts critical to refinery performance, reliability and production assurance. • Partner with Executive and Senior Leadership stakeholders, aligning procurement strategies with business objectives and supporting major projects and turnarounds to schedule. • Drive strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management and contract management, including complex negotiations and direction on major awards and renewals. • Oversee supplier performance, governance and risk, strengthening resilience while identifying cost reduction, value engineering and continuous-improvement opportunities. • Provide leadership for warehouse operations so materials management effectively supports business requirements. • Lead, mentor and develop Category Managers, Specialists and procurement professionals, building capability, accountability and a high-performance culture. • Work with internal and external audit, assurance and regulatory stakeholders to maintain robust governance and compliance. WHAT YOU WILL BRING You are an established procurement or supply-chain leader who combines commercial judgement with credible operational leadership. • Significant Category Management, Procurement or Supply Chain leadership experience in a complex industrial, energy, engineering or manufacturing environment. • A proven record of developing and implementing category strategies that improve commercial value and business performance. • Extensive experience of high-value contracts, strategic suppliers and complex commercial negotiations. • Strong people leadership, including coaching, mentoring and developing procurement and supply-chain professionals. • Excellent stakeholder management, with the confidence to influence, challenge constructively and build credibility with executives, senior leaders and suppliers. • Strong commercial acumen and deep knowledge of procurement strategy, contract management and supplier performance management. • Experience using data, market intelligence and spend analysis to support strategic decisions and measurable value. • Experience with ERP systems; SAP knowledge is advantageous. • Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, and the ability to balance urgent operational priorities with long-term strategic objectives in a fast-paced environment. ADVANTAGEOUS EXPERIENCE • A relevant Technical, Business, Procurement or Supply Chain degree. • CIPS Level 6 Professional Diploma, or working towards it. • Experience in a Top Tier COMAH, refinery, petrochemical or other high-hazard manufacturing environment. • Category experience spanning Engineering and EPCM Services, Turnarounds, Mechanical Services, MRO, Static and Rotating Equipment, Facilities Management or Industrial Services. • Experience leading offshore or globally distributed procurement teams. Application Process This vacancy will be advertised for a minimum period of two weeks and will remain open to applications until an offer has been made and accepted. Therefore, the vacancy may close at any time after Thursday, 26 November 2026 , and we encourage interested candidates to apply as early as possible.