Category Buyer- Indirect

**Business Overview**

Working in the Procurement Department drive for a high-growth global £200m+ revenue business with manufacturing operations within the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Germany supplying international clients. Our solutions-focused manufacturing offers a whole range of products designed to simplify complex infrastructure projects.

Our market-leading brands, Cubis Systems, NAL, and FILOform, supply smart, safe, and sustainable product solutions to a range of construction sectors. Through innovation, we enable construction partners to optimise efficiency and safety through pioneering products designed for simplicity, speed, and reliability.

We stand together to reinvent the way our world is built through collaboration on breakthrough ideas that achieve tomorrow’s solutions today.

**Position**:Category Buyer
- Indirect

**Reports to**: Head of Procurement

**Role Overview**:The Category Buyer will play a crucial role in optimizing the IPE supply chain by strategically sourcing and managing suppliers’ performance within specific categories. The role requires a strong understanding of procurement processes, market trends, cross-functional team works and negotiation skills. Based at Cubis, Lurgan site the Category Buyer will be responsible for:
**Key Accountabilities**:

- Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement category strategies aligned with overall IPE organizational goals, ensuring cost optimisation, quality, delivery, supply chain rationalisation and supplier diversity objectives are met.
- Supplier Relationship Management: Identify critical and strategic suppliers, map out tier N suppliers, conduct supplier evaluations and re-evaluations, establish, and maintain strong business relationships. Continuously assess supplier performance and manage relationships to ensure optimal deliver and service levels.
- Contract Management: Lead negotiations with suppliers of own category to secure favourable terms and conditions, Draft, review and manage contracts, ensuring compliance with legal and organisation standards.
- Cost Management: Drive cost-saving, avoidance and VAVE initiatives by partnership with cross functional teams, through effective negotiation, process optimization, value engineering and supplier innovation. Monitor and report on PPV cost variances and implement correct actions as needed, effectively manage supplier payment terms, cashflow, ensure ethical procurement practices while aligning finance objectives.
- Collaboration: Work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including finance, business system, quality, engineering, and operations, to understand business requirements and ensure alignment with procurement strategies.
- Risk Management and Sustainability: Identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, ensure continuity of supply and minimizing disruptions to the business. Develop contingency plans for critical supply categories.
- Advanced Sourcing: Stay informed about market trends, industry best practices and regulatory changes related to assigned categories, by attending key trade shows, webinars, and relevant industry events. Utilise CRH Procurement resources to optimise for the benefit of IPE’s bottom line, look for continuous improvement by adopting latest technologies and process.
- Leadership Quality: Prioritise own works and provide category leadership to procurement to internal and external teams, while promoting procurement values at all times.
- All other duties as deemed necessary by the Head of Procurement

**Associated Responsibilities**:

- Managing pricing and contract of IPE key indirect categories including FME, CapEx, MRO, Production, Mobile equipment, IT & Telecom, Energy and General Services
- Lead and attend category project meetings
- Manage regular supplier review meetings

**Experience and Training**:

- Proven experience in a focused category management and strategic sourcing
- Strong Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Project management skills
- Strong negotiation skills
- Proficient with procurement software and tools
- Knowledge of procurement regulations and compliance standards

**Essential Criteria**:

- Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
- Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy in procurement data and order processing
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities concurrently.
- Proactive and able to adapt to changing priorities and requirements.
- Results-driven and committed to meeting procurement compliances and objectives.
- Keen to learn and committed to continuous improvement.

**Essential Competencies**:
1. Ensure accountability

2. Action oriented

3. Manages ambiguity

4. Business insight

5. Collaborates

6. Communicates effectively

7. Manages complexity

8. Manages conflict

9. Courage