Category Manager - Procurement (Brand Experiences)

For a quarter of a century, the Jellycat family have brought joy, wonder and playful fun to people of all ages, in every part of the world. Utterly original and in a class of their own, they are currently among the most loved and collected toys of their kind. How has this gentle tribe endeared themselves to so many? Perhaps it is their whimsical expressions. Or the deliciously soft fabrics. Or the beautiful way in which they sit in your hand. Whatever it is, there is something magical and unmistakeable about each one of them.

We bring joy to life via our experiences, such as the Fish & Chips experience in Selfridges, the Jellycat Airlines at Harrods, the Jellycat Space experience in Seoul and the Jellycat Shanghai Café experience etc! This role will play a key role in ensuring we work with the best Experience Production partners and their supply base for the right quality, speed and pricing.

In any spare capacity between experience strategic sourcing and category management work, this role would also support Professional Services procurement category needs such as Legal Suppliers, Financial Services Suppliers and HR/Recruitment services.

You'll be;

• Leading procurement category management of the global experiences and professional services category, partnering with internal teams across Brand, Finance, HR, Legal and the wider business.

• Driving tender management by developing and executing robust tenders to ensure the selection of the best suppliers for Jellycat’s Experiences and Professional Services needs.

• Conducting fact based contract negotiations to secure favourable terms and conditions with suppliers, ensuring quality is prioritised and long‑term relationships can thrive.

• Identifying and evaluating new suppliers to strengthen Jellycat’s experiences product partners and professional services scope, supporting global expansion.

• Working closely with cross functional teams - including Brand, Finance, Legal and HR - to ensure the smooth running of the business.

• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency and effectiveness.

• Identifying and mitigating risks within the supply chain to ensure business continuity and resilience.

• Managing and maintaining strong supplier relationships, ensuring they meet Jellycat’s high standards for quality, reliability and performance.

You'll have;

• Category management experience within the Experiences (Fit Out) and Professional Services space, with a strong understanding of procurement processes and best practices.

• Expertise in leading and executing robust tenders to select the best suppliers for business needs.

• Strong contract negotiation skills, with the ability to engage in fact‑based discussions to secure favourable supplier terms and conditions.

• The ability to identify, evaluate, and manage supplier relationships to ensure they meet Jellycat’s expectations for quality, reliability and performance.

• Experience collaborating with cross functional teams.

• A demonstrated track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, efficiency and effectiveness across the supply base.

• Knowledge of risk management practices to support business continuity and resilience.

• The capability to monitor and evaluate supplier performance, implementing corrective actions when required to maintain high standards.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and communicate effectively across the business.

• A solution‑oriented mindset with a creative approach to problem‑solving.

• The ability to work effectively as part of a team, demonstrating accountability and responsibility.

• A pragmatic, entrepreneurial, and commercially minded approach that supports scaling at pace.