Numatic International, best known for the Henry and Hetty Vacuum cleaners alongside cordless solutions through to customisable janitorial systems, is undergoing substantial expansion in the next 3 - 5 years. Numatic delivers professional, practical, and reliable equipment, designed, engineered, and all made right here in the UK. With sales to over 90 countries worldwide and an enviable new product slate there has never been a better time to join. Located in Chard, on the Somerset, Devon, and Dorset borders, it offers a semi-rural lifestyle, enviable education provision, access within 20 minutes to stunning coastal shorelines yet with quick links to major towns and cities.

**About the role**:
As a Category Buyer you will be responsible for supporting high quality purchasing and category management requirements across a diverse supply base. Using significant technical knowledge and substantial influencing and negotiating skills, your key objective will be to deliver cost effective and flexible solutions, through all stages of development to production release. You will be accountable for effective communication to key internal stakeholders and suppliers, providing advice to managers to ensure purchasing requirements are in line with purchasing category strategies and the supply chains associated processes.

**Main Duties**:

- Work proactively with suppliers to drive critical path requirements with optimum supply availability, from early like sample process, ready for hand over to supply chain team, as critical milestones are approved.
- Act as a specialist single point of contact handling ‘day to day’ contact with suppliers.
- Engage with internal specialists and suppliers to ensure an optimised solution is developed to support continuous improvement through innovation, commercialisation and business need.
- Develop new opportunities with existing suppliers and identify potential new supplier relationships within both UK and international markets, seeking cost optimised solutions before committing to business.
- Ensure attention to detail, review potential design updates and cost controls, are considered when engaged on development and improvement projects.
- Represent the team with other internal and external stakeholders.
- Fully implement all changes to processes, methodology, environment, and practice within the department in a positive supportive manner.
- Align and drive sourcing in line with project deadlines to deliver low total cost solutions.
- Align with agreed Category supplier management processes and approved supply base.
- Use substantial analytical ability and technical expertise to read and interpret drawings by specialists.
- Support the Purchasing and Supply Chain Manager on any business improvement projects.

**About you**:

- Desirable; superuser status in Purchasing functions of an ERP system.
- Desirable; Chartered Institute of Purchasing (CIPS) accreditation level 4.
- Proven track record in purchasing within a manufacturing or product development environment.
- Experience in development and deployment of a category management process.
- Commercial, customer relationship and development experience.
- Experience of category management principles in mechanical, electronics, or machining markets. Knowledge in Product Lifecycle Management system requirements from sample to approval.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Health & wellbeing programme

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Chard: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Work authorisation:

- United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/06/2024