Purpose: The Capex Category Manager will lead the strategic procurement of capital investment across Pandas 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 Pandas 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 Pandas 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 Pandas 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 Pandas 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 Pandas One Team ethos, providing a professional, responsive service to stakeholders.
Brand & Reputation Ensure capital assets, suppliers, and contractor relationships reflect Pandas 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.