Category Buyer

This is an opportunity for a Category Buyer to work within the field of IT and professional services, generating category strategies for the group.

As a Category Buyer you will be responsible for managing the operational aspects of the supply chain, supporting the operational team in your division, and developing category strategies to ensure we have a robust and competitive supply chain for the long term.

• Develop Category Strategies for each area of responsibility, working with the wider business to ensure strategies are implemented in a timely manner
• Ensure early engagement with engineering and suppliers to ensure we are sourcing the best products from the beginning of our projects
• Manage the weekly operational workload for your supply base - ensuring you meet the team KPIs
• Manage the New Product Introduction (NPI) process for your categories - ensuring product is available and right first time to achieve successful machine launches
• Manage multiple resource / capacity projects with suppliers to ensure the company can achieve our 5-year plan
• Identify and drive cost reduction activities across the business
• Support Division acting as an escalation point for Delivery / Quality / Warranty issues relating to your categories
• Responsible for leading contractual negotiations for your suppliers (Long Term / Development / Warranty Agreements etc)
• Develop and lead supplier relationships to deliver tangible mutual benefits
• Work with suppliers and engineering to identify new technologies to reduce cost and or add additional value to our machines
• Build strong relationships across the company and the supply base, be responsible and accountable to make and influence key decisions that are in the best interest of the business.

We're looking for candidates with experience in the following areas:

• Procurement experience working within a IT or manufacturing business
• Experience developing and implementing successful long-term category strategies
• Understanding of key cost drivers within a supply base
• Confident negotiator with a proven record of creating cost ideas and delivering significant reductions
• Experience managing a number of NPI programs - ideally from concept to product launch
• Experience managing multiple projects and co-ordinating cross functional teams to ensure on-time delivery
• Experience managing high level supplier relationships & delivering tangible benefits

To apply please forward your resume with a covering note detailing your current situation, availability and salary expectations. The salary for this role is flexible dependent on experience with a great benefits package. RHL Acts as an employment agency and recruitment consultancy.