Category Buyer

The post holder will be responsible for managing the most critical and highest value direct materials sourcing and supply relationships, and large and complex sourcing and outsourcing projects through both evaluation and execution. Aiding the design of a robust Commodity Strategy to support the business goals and providing a global category focal point for the business.

**Responsibilities**
- Manage the outsourced spend for your specific category
- Build, maintain and manage scaled & critical strategic supplier relationships.
- Deliver significant and sustained cost savings for your category, on an on-going basis.
- Contribute to the overall Make vs Buy strategy, identifying opportunities and synergies both within the supply chain and current make portfolio.
- Provide strategic leadership to key business transformation and outsourcing projects and leverage strong project and change management skills to manage complex and high value outsourcing and re-sourcing projects.
- Drive sustainable and ethical sourcing practices across the organisation. Influencing stakeholders at the highest level within the business unit, suppliers, and customers.
- Conducting strategic sourcing, search, and supplier evaluations; conducting RFPs / tender / commercial negotiation processes
- Managing multiple supplier relationships and projects to balance supply chain competition
- Securing a global supply base that meets the organisation’s cost and performance targets
- Drive continuous improvements for the Category / group of commodities.
- Negotiate and implement LTAs and subcontracts
- Provide insights and recommendations based on analysis, research, industry trends, benchmarking, and best practices.

**Reward**
- Competitive salary
- Annual bonus (linked to company performance)
- 33 days annual leave
- 37.5 hours per week
- £5,000 employee referral bonus
- Health cash plan
- Contributory salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Life Assurance Scheme at x4 gross salary
- Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
- Dedicated employee parking
- Employee Recognition scheme
- Long Service Awards
- Wellbeing Initiatives
- Discounted Gym membership
- Local charity / sponsorship activities
- Learning and development opportunities
- Career progression

**Requirements**:
**Essential**
- Category Supply Market knowledge gained in a procurement environment.
- Proven track record of managing strategic sourcing processes and critical supplier relationships
- Experience of leading sourcing evaluation process and outsourcing.
- Experience and knowledge of specialist manufacturing processes and related costs / efficiencies
- Demonstrable understanding of Make Vs Buy, in relation to assembly / sub assembly / components and related procurement strategic decision making
- Understanding of key cost drivers that ensure commercial business decisions in partnership with design.
- Experience across a range of materials (can include metals, plastic, composites, electro-mechanicals, electrical components, or non-structures components)
- 3rd level Qualification, or demonstrable equivalent
- Excellent negotiation skills

**Desirable**
- Knowledge and understanding of latest technologies that position the business to leverage smart, future solutions for Seating.
- CIPS qualification

**We reserve the right to enhance criteria on shortlisting.**

**Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.