Full-Time
Senior Category Manager
Posted on 5/9/2026
ConvaTec Group
5,001-10,000 employees
Develops medical devices for chronic care
No salary listed
London, UK
Hybrid
Hybrid role; Paddington office base with up to 25% travel.
 Operations & Logistics (1) |
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- 7 years + working within a Strategic Procurement/Sourcing environment employing a formal category/sourcing management process (preferably in a similar regulated industry), with a degree and MCIPS to level 6.
- A clear understanding of Category Management principles with a track record of delivering results across a number of different category areas, building strong supplier and stakeholder relationships.
- Ability to quickly gain a detailed view of stakeholder and business needs in the short, medium, and long term.
- Strong engagement skills that enable you to support, influence and constructively challenge stakeholders to deliver the best outcomes for Convatec.
- Demonstrated ability for analytical problem-solving and analysis/interpretation of complex problems, incorporating data gathered from a variety of sources/software tools.
- Advanced level of negotiating with suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters and applying judgement as to what constitutes an acceptable level of contractual risk and supply resilience.
- Excellent understanding of financial principles, resource planning and allocation, and the fundamental drivers of improvements across a variety of business areas.
- Ability to work with a range of technically and culturally diverse people, influencing them to achieve goals in a timely manner to help drive business results.
- Develop a fully integrated and customer/business-aligned Category Strategy for complex categories, engaging with key stakeholder groups across global functions to ensure alignment to business priorities.
- Lead the execution of category strategies, translating plans into measurable results, ensuring your team and stakeholders are fully aligned on priorities, timelines, and outcomes.
- Lead, coach, and develop your Category team to build capability and ensure delivery of category objectives, driving a high-performance and collaborative culture.
- Collaborate closely with Convatec Business Services (CBS) functions and the Source-to-Pay (S2P) team to ensure alignment of category strategy with operational procurement delivery driving end-to-end value, process efficiency, and compliance.
- Challenge the status quo to identify and implement best-in-class procurement practices, continuously seeking opportunities to improve performance, efficiency, and value delivery.
- Prioritise and manage your own workload and that of your team, ensuring focus on high-impact activities.
- Provide extensive category knowledge and supply market insight to internal stakeholders and deliver category plans and sourcing events, providing SME support and identifying/managing category-level risks.
- Oversee the implementation of category plans and manage resources to ensure procurement activities deliver the expected value to the business.
- Accountable for delivering the contracts, agreements, and sourcing strategies for the supply of materials/products and/or services that support defined strategies.
- Accountable for the Source to Contract (S2C) process, including identification of opportunities, sourcing strategy, evaluation, recommendation, and award, ensuring that appropriate tools and systems are effectively used.
- Accountable through Supplier Relationship Management for ensuring that the supplier base is continually assessed and developed to meet changing business and customer demands. This includes identifying and driving continuous improvement and innovation initiatives that generate value through enhanced supplier performance and capabilities.
- Responsible for managing a portfolio of suppliers to ensure contracted expectations continue to improve throughout the contract life cycle and that suppliers deliver additional value to Convatec.
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of strategic procurement and value delivery, translating business requirements into actionable, results-focused plans that drive measurable improvement and performance.
- This position is hybrid, linked to our Paddington office and will involve travel up to 25% of the time.
Convatec Group provides medical devices and services for chronic care. It designs, manufactures, and distributes products across wound care, ostomy care, continence care, and infusion care for patients and healthcare providers in nearly 100 countries. Its products aim to prevent infection, protect the skin, and support safer, easier patient care, while helping health systems lower overall costs. A notable example is the compact catheter for women, which combines discreet use with reliable protection. The company employs about 10,000 people and operates under a commitment to ongoing, reliable care—’forever caring’—to meet evolving patient and system needs. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and reduce the total cost of care through clinically and economically beneficial medical devices and services.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Founded
1978
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Achieves 6.4% organic growth in 2025 across all segments, infusion care at 12.5%.
- Secures $500M senior notes at 5.3% due 2035, refinancing debt for flexibility.
- Partners LTIMindtree for AI-powered SAP S/4HANA, streamlining global operations.
What critics are saying
- CMS cuts InnovaMatrix price 80% to $127/sq cm, slashing 2026 revenue 2%.
- Novo Holdings sells entire 7.8% stake for £351M, exiting strategic investment.
- Eakin freeseal co-branding erodes proprietary ostomy margins against Hollister, Coloplast.
What makes ConvaTec Group unique
- Leads with Hydrofiber technology, selling 1.5 billion Aquacel dressings over 30 years.
- Launches ConvaNiox dressing healing 60% more diabetic foot ulcers three times faster.
- Introduces eakin freeseal, thinnest 1.8mm ostomy seal absorbing four times its weight.
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Benefits
Remote Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Convatec and Eakin Healthcare have launched eakin freeseal, a co-branded ostomy seal in the United States as part of Convatec's ESENTA family of accessories. The product is designed to prevent leaks and protect skin around stomas, addressing a significant need as approximately 90% of the 1 million Americans living with a stoma experience leakage. The eakin freeseal range includes two lines: eakin freeseal air, the thinnest seal on the market at 1.8mm depth, and eakin freeseal versa, which absorbs fluid without breaking down. Both products can absorb up to four times their weight in fluid whilst maintaining integrity beneath the skin barrier. The launch expands the partnership between Convatec, a global medical products company with over $2 billion in 2025 revenues, and Eakin Healthcare, a Northern Ireland-based ostomy solutions specialist.
Convatec and Eakin Healthcare have launched eakin freeseal, a co-branded ostomy seal designed to prevent leaks and protect skin around stomas, as part of Convatec's ESENTA family of accessories in the United States. The product range includes two lines: eakin freeseal air, the thinnest seal on the market at 1.8mm depth, designed for convex pouches; and eakin freeseal versa, which absorbs fluid without breaking down. The seals can absorb up to four times their weight in fluid whilst maintaining integrity beneath the skin barrier. With approximately 1 million people living with stomas in the US, about 90% experience leakage at some point. The new seals address this critical issue in one of the largest and fastest-growing product categories in ostomy care.
Convatec introduces co-branded eakin freeseal(R) ostomy seal in north america, expanding the ESENTA(TM) family of accessories. * 21 hrs ago Convatec, a leading medical products and technologies company focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, and Eakin Healthcare, a specialist provider of ostomy solutions, today announced the launch of eakin freeseal(R), the thinnest ostomy seal used to help prevent leaks and protect the skin around a stoma. This new co-branded seal is part of the ESENTA(TM) family of accessories, available in the United States. Ostomy seals are designed to create a protective layer around the stoma to prevent leakage. Recurrent leakage can lead to skin breakdown and irritation, leading to longer term issues, both physically and emotionally for patients. With approximately 1 million people living with a stoma in the United States, about 90% experience leakage at some point in their journey[3]. The use of ostomy seals can reduce or eliminate leakage, leading to a better quality of life for those living with an ostomy. The eakin freeseal(R) range includes two product lines, eakin freeseal(R) air, and eakin freeseal(R) versa, providing healthcare professionals with versatile options that combine discretion, comfort and high performance. While Convatec currently addresses the patient's needs with the eakin Cohesive(R) seal, eakin freeseal(R) provides healthcare professionals with a wider range of options to meet their clinical needs. The thinner offering, eakin freeseal(R) air has a depth starting at 1.8mm, making it the thinnest seal on the market and is designed to be paired with convex pouches. eakin freeseal(R) versa is slightly thicker and designed to absorb fluid at the best rate in the market without breaking down, leading to easier removal for the end user. The thinness of this new ostomy seal, together with its composition and design, allows it to absorb up to four times its weight in fluid without breaking down underneath the skin barrier[1]. This high performance, combined with eakin(R) seals' best-in-market moldability[2], makes eakin freeseal(R) a relatable solution to any person living with a stoma immediately post-surgery. Ostomy seals and barriers designed to prevent leakage and skin irritation is one of the largest product categories in the United States and continues to grow at a consistent rate. Dan Yrigoyen, Vice President, US Ostomy Care at Convatec, said: "We are pleased to add eakin freeseal(R) to our ESENTA(TM) family of skin-friendly accessories, expanding the range of trusted options available to clinicians and patients, and supporting easier, more confident everyday care. with our forever caring promise. This marks a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between Convatec and Eakin Healthcare. Together we continue to advance ostomy care in line with our forever caring promise." This co-branded product reflects Convatec and Eakin Healthcare's ongoing commitment to patients and healthcare professionals to provide choice - working together to provide a better ostomy experience so patients can live the life they want. Integrating eakin(R) seals into the ESENTA(TM) range reinforces the importance of using a reliable ostomy seal as part of the customers skincare routine. About Eakin Healthcare Eakin Healthcare is a medical device manufacturer with headquarters based in Comber, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1973, pharmacist Tom Eakin saw a need to support individuals living with a stoma with better ostomy products to improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life. The company continues to build on its heritage of patient-focused innovation, combining clinical insight with advanced manufacturing to deliver reliable medical devices used worldwide. With a global presence and a strong focus on quality, the company works to enhance the lives of people managing complex healthcare needs. To learn more please visit http://www.eakinostomy.com About Convatec Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With over 10,000 colleagues, we provide products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention, treatment for hard to heal wounds, at-risk skin and ulcerated tissue to supporting debilitating conditions, improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec's revenues in 2025 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit http://www.convatecgroup.com References: * Mc Groggan G, Haughey S and McDowell K (2018) An absorbent, enzyme-inhibiting seal reduces peristomal skin complications. Gastrointestinal Nursing 16:1 42-4. * T.G. Eakin Laboratory Testing Summary report, ostomy seals 2023 (Data on file) EA-005683-ST * Eakin Healthcare Stoma Census 2023 n=1992. Data on file.
Convatec introduces co-branded eakin freeseal(R) ostomy seal in north america, expanding the ESENTA(TM) family of accessories. * 1 hr ago Convatec, a leading medical products and technologies company focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, and Eakin Healthcare, a specialist provider of ostomy solutions, today announced the launch of eakin freeseal(R), the thinnest ostomy seal used to help prevent leaks and protect the skin around a stoma. This new co-branded seal is part of the ESENTA(TM) family of accessories, available in the United States. Ostomy seals are designed to create a protective layer around the stoma to prevent leakage. Recurrent leakage can lead to skin breakdown and irritation, leading to longer term issues, both physically and emotionally for patients. With approximately 1 million people living with a stoma in the United States, about 90% experience leakage at some point in their journey[3]. The use of ostomy seals can reduce or eliminate leakage, leading to a better quality of life for those living with an ostomy. The eakin freeseal(R) range includes two product lines, eakin freeseal(R) air, and eakin freeseal(R) versa, providing healthcare professionals with versatile options that combine discretion, comfort and high performance. While Convatec currently addresses the patient's needs with the eakin Cohesive(R) seal, eakin freeseal(R) provides healthcare professionals with a wider range of options to meet their clinical needs. The thinner offering, eakin freeseal(R) air has a depth starting at 1.8mm, making it the thinnest seal on the market and is designed to be paired with convex pouches. eakin freeseal(R) versa is slightly thicker and designed to absorb fluid at the best rate in the market without breaking down, leading to easier removal for the end user. The thinness of this new ostomy seal, together with its composition and design, allows it to absorb up to four times its weight in fluid without breaking down underneath the skin barrier[1]. This high performance, combined with eakin(R) seals' best-in-market moldability[2], makes eakin freeseal(R) a relatable solution to any person living with a stoma immediately post-surgery. Ostomy seals and barriers designed to prevent leakage and skin irritation is one of the largest product categories in the United States and continues to grow at a consistent rate. Dan Yrigoyen, Vice President, US Ostomy Care at Convatec, said: "We are pleased to add eakin freeseal(R) to our ESENTA(TM) family of skin-friendly accessories, expanding the range of trusted options available to clinicians and patients, and supporting easier, more confident everyday care. with our forever caring promise. This marks a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between Convatec and Eakin Healthcare. Together we continue to advance ostomy care in line with our forever caring promise." This co-branded product reflects Convatec and Eakin Healthcare's ongoing commitment to patients and healthcare professionals to provide choice - working together to provide a better ostomy experience so patients can live the life they want. Integrating eakin(R) seals into the ESENTA(TM) range reinforces the importance of using a reliable ostomy seal as part of the customers skincare routine. About Eakin Healthcare Eakin Healthcare is a medical device manufacturer with headquarters based in Comber, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1973, pharmacist Tom Eakin saw a need to support individuals living with a stoma with better ostomy products to improve comfort, confidence, and quality of life. The company continues to build on its heritage of patient-focused innovation, combining clinical insight with advanced manufacturing to deliver reliable medical devices used worldwide. With a global presence and a strong focus on quality, the company works to enhance the lives of people managing complex healthcare needs. To learn more please visit http://www.eakinostomy.com About Convatec Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives Wpgxfox28 touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With over 10,000 colleagues, Wpgxfox28 provide products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Its solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention, treatment for hard to heal wounds, at-risk skin and ulcerated tissue to supporting debilitating conditions, improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec's revenues in 2025 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit http://www.convatecgroup.com References: * Mc Groggan G, Haughey S and McDowell K (2018) An absorbent, enzyme-inhibiting seal reduces peristomal skin complications. Gastrointestinal Nursing 16:1 42-4. * T.G. Eakin Laboratory Testing Summary report, ostomy seals 2023 (Data on file) EA-005683-ST * Eakin Healthcare Stoma Census 2023 n=1992. Data on file.
ConvaTec Group reported its fifth consecutive year of organic revenue growth in 2025, with operating margin expanding 110 basis points to 22.3% and earnings per share rising 16%. The medical devices company delivered organic growth of 6.4% excluding InnovaMatrix, with strong performance across all four business segments led by infusion care at 12.5%. The company faces a significant headwind from its InnovaMatrix product after US Medicare reduced pricing by approximately 80% to $127 per square centimetre, resulting in a £72 million non-cash impairment and an expected 2% revenue headwind in 2026. Management guided to roughly $20 million in InnovaMatrix sales for 2026. ConvaTec reiterated 2026 guidance for 5-7% organic growth excluding InnovaMatrix and operating margin of at least 23%, whilst raising its longer-term organic growth target to 6-8% from 2027.