CATEGORY BUYERS - DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEND

CATEGORY BUYERS - DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEND

"Showcase your green credentials by playing a key strategic procurement role within our client's sustainably sourced supply chain."

Salary: £30-35000 + Excellent Benefits

North West

Commutable from Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Blackburn, Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Whitefield, Bacup, Rawtenstall, Accrington, Haslingden, Oswaldtwistle, Burnley, Rishton, Darwen, Ramsbottom, Whitworth, Heywood, Middleton, Padiham

Our client is part of a European plc, specializing in flooring and associated products for the UK and international residential and commercial market sectors selling via retailers, distributors and contractors. A pioneering innovator our client has built its name on industry leading design, especially in regard to sustainability.

They are now looking to recruit two Category Buyers to take responsibility for service excellence within allocated indirect and direct commodity/category groups. These are very demanding and challenging roles that call for pro-active problem-solvers with a track record of success within a pressurized fast moving manufacturing environment.

As a Category Buyer your role will encompass financial analysis, negotiating, supplier management, sourcing and tendering, ethical and sustainable supply chain and procure to pay systems.

The positions will involve managing the budget of specific categories, taking responsibility for delivery against designated category budgets and contributing to corporate financial targets, while ensuring the best possible range of sustainably and ethically sourced recycled and recyclable materials are available to meet manufacturing/production programmes. This could include materials purchased on the commodity markets such as chemicals and adhesives, wood, bio-oils, synthetic rubber, limestone as well as recycled or recyclable materials to repurpose into new products. You will also be responsible for indirect categories such as energy, HR services, logistics, maintenance solutions. This will be achieved through identifying and implementing category strategies in line with organisational objectives.

Key responsibilities will include:

* Maintaining the effectiveness of procurement operations through excellent financial analysis and market research, reviewing prices and contracts in line with trends and forecasts.

* Building and maintaining ongoing relationships with external suppliers as well as internal colleagues

* Ongoing evaluation of current and future requirements for supply

* Taking overall responsibility for sourcing new suppliers and negotiating prices

* Contribute to the development of category strategies and plan

* Monitor and evaluate supplier performance and continuity of lower carbon footprint supply on an ongoing basis

* Monitor and review contract delivery by checking contract costs against budget

* Negotiate improvements in supplier performance

* Dealing with and resolving all supply chain issues quickly and efficiently

Ability, attitude and approach are key attributes to be successful in this role. You must be tenacious, pursuing results vigorously and conscientiously with a pro-active approach to problem-solving. You will be highly influential, persuasive and able to perform consistently in a highly pressurised environment. Strong stakeholder engagement and first-class interpersonal skills including the confidence to communicate at all levels are key.

Ideally, candidates should be degree educated with previous procurement, category management, buying and sourcing experience gained in a manufacturing environment. You must demonstrate a strong commercial awareness and highly developed negotiating skills. Part of full membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) would be highly desirable.

In addition, the successful candidate will have excellent IT skills. These skills must include a good working knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and ERP systems.

Career prospects are outstanding, and this is a real opportunity for candidates with endless enthusiasm and drive to advance their career within a fast-moving environment.