Category Buyer

Reporting to a local Head of Supply Chain and working in conjunction with the Chief Supply Chain Officer this role as Category Buyer provides procurement and supplier partnership expertise to our team in the areas of strategic sourcing and category management for the Group. The post holder will provide a consistent supplier approach to our Category Management team customers sales teams and the supply chain in order to effectively manage and optimise all procurement activities and leverage expertise for the Group. It is expected that the post holder will deliver highquality innovative and costeffective methodologies to support our customers requirement and future needs while taking into consideration the engagement of suppliers. A key function of the role is to drive engagement innovation and grow the customers business by leveraging suppliers to increase productivity performance and growth within a fair and competitive environment.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research Innovate Tender Launch & Review Cycle and execute global regional and country supply chain strategies in coordination with key stakeholders
• Lead supplier qualification and sourcing activities ensuring the engagement and buyin from key stakeholders throughout the process
• Develop issue and share supplier scorecards on a regular basis to the relevant internal teams
• Managing SLAs & TAs with Supply Chain Managers
• Category Managers will have managerial responsibilities. Responsible for arranging products training through the whole business (Sales/Intercompany/stake holders)
• Use data statistics industry benchmarking and business experiences to make recommendations to optimize the supply chain strategy and identify new manufacturers and resource pipelines
• Monitor and report margin capabilities and exceptions with GP targets
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders through regular communication and valueadded category management support
• Assesses and evaluates supplier business practices capabilities competencies innovation health and growth potentials to recommend targeted suppliers that would exceed in responsiveness financial viability innovative and risk mitigation strategies while delivering the best quality candidates
• Analyse and deliver strategic communication to suppliers about performance and expectations in conjunction with corrective action plans
• Align supplier selection agreement and processes to meet customers costsaving goals by suggesting supplier strategies that would allow winwin results.
• Remain up to date on industry best practices procurement and supplier management and category trends to drive improvements

SCOPE OF POSITION The role does not have line management responsibility. However you will be expected to act as a mentor to junior team members who support the purchasing activity for the business including crosstraining where required. The post holder will be expected to work any hours required in the of his/her duties.

LOCATION

This position is located in out Zeus UK head office in Biggleswade

It is the companys intention that this job description is seen as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However the business will change and the jobholders obligations are bound to vary and develop so the job description should be seen as a guide and not as a permanent definite and exhaustive statement.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Key Skills

Strong presentation skills

Analytical with high attention to detail in administration

Experienced in market research and the ability to market products effectively

Proven success in product launches and range propositions

Good verbal comprehension and written communication skills

Excellent business acumen

Ability to work to tight deadlines and stay calm under pressure

Inquisitive and challenging to ensure best practice for Zeus

Knowledge and Experience

Minimum of 2 years proven procurement experience

Financially aware (good understanding / experience of managing budgets) and commercially astute with an analytical mind

Ability to manage third party relationships and spend portfolios

Strong commercial and contractual experience

Flexible in approach capable of prioritising numerous work streams

Excellent planning organisation and administration skills

An effective communicator ensuring key decisions and strategies gain buy in and are delivered

Personal Attributes

Target driven individual with a desire to succeed.

Passion for providing outstanding levels of customer service.

Proactive can do attitude.

Ability to work as a team and use own initiative when required.

Progressive ambitious and enthusiastic personality traits

Analytical and results driven

Qualifications

Educated to a minimum of Level 3 UK Alevel/Btec German Abitur or equivalent

CIPS qualification desired or relevant profession qualification

Computer skills including Excel / Word / Outlook Intermediate level is a minimum.

Required Experience:

Senior IC