Category Buyer

**Category Buyer**

**ITM Power**

Location: Sheffield

Direct Applications Only - No Agency Applicants at this time

**About ITM Power**

Building on more than two decades of science led research and development, ITM Power designs and manufactures pioneering PEM electrolysers that produce green hydrogen. This helps pave the way to a cleaner economy by enabling industry to decarbonise.

As the first hydrogen related company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange, it’s no exaggeration to say that we’re globally recognised experts in our field.

In recent years, interest in green hydrogen has increased rapidly worldwide. To help meet demand and accelerate global progress towards net-zero, we have scaled up at speed.

In 2021, we opened our cutting-edge factory at Bessemer Park, Sheffield, representing a step-change in our ambition as a business.

**Why join us**

Our business is entering a significant period of transition, a pivotal stage of its development to scale its business while advancing its organisational culture towards a highly focused delivery company.

You will be working with an inspiring bunch of people, who all share our desire, commitment and ambition to succeed. Our talented team of individuals display energy and enthusiasm with the ability to adapt to ever evolving business needs, encouraging each other to be the best we can. We’ve come a long way, join us to play a key role in the next step of our incredible journey

**What are we looking for**

We have an opportunity for a Category Buyer to join our Procurement team. This role is responsible for liaising with stakeholders in the business to define and ensure successful deployment of any given category strategy whilst verifying that supplier management processes are followed and all direct / indirect materials, including contract services are provided at the lowest total cost of acquisition. The Category Buyer will lead supplier business reviews to support supplier relationship management and encourage supply chain improvements and cost reduction/value add dialogues.

Incumbents of the role are accountable to maintain a professional, structured and organised process for the management of overall supplier performance, direct and indirect purchase orders and contract services in line with the pertinent procurement policies.

The Category Buyer will work with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure that all inbound materials or contract services are provided Right-First Time and On Time, In Full (OTIF) and where necessary, coordinate and communicate change plans and problem resolutions. This will include creating information to feed into the supplier scorecard and performance matrix to support a zero defects culture. The role will also be expected to deputise for the Category Manager when required.

**Responsibilities**

QUALITY
- Facilitate the selection and qualification (approval) process for new suppliers within any given product category in line with the Supplier Selection and Nomination procedure**.** This includes prototype and sample parts.
- Facilitate the de-selection process for any current supplier which continuously underperforms against agreed QCDR targets and/or fails to comply with the Supplier Selection and Nomination procedure.
- Ensure the supplier is aware and can provide the required documentation/material conformance certificates to complete first article inspection/PPAP where specified prior to any order being placed.
- Support the Supplier Quality Engineer where required to ensure that all underperforming suppliers have robust quality improvement plans in place and support with resolving any repeat/underperforming supplier quality issues in line with the Supplier Performance and Management procedure/Escalation Process.
- Provide feedback to suppliers of their delivered quality performance as part of supplier performance management (QCDR) reviews.

COST
- Receive bids and conduct commercial evaluation.
- Negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best commercial package for ITM and prepare recommendation for award.
- Identify cost saving opportunities using appropriate levers including but not restricted to; contract reviews, supplier benchmarking, material price benchmarking, VAVE, LEAN opportunities, etc. aligned to the category strategy.
- Support the budget planning and reporting cycle with regard to forecast savings and on-costs.
- Coordinate with suppliers to facilitate any necessary actions and initiatives to reduce supplier cost of poor quality (NRFT) and warranty cost reduction. This will include cost recovery where required.

DELIVERY
- Conduct RFI/RFQ in accordance with the Supplier Selection and Nomination procedure and in line with overall project timing plans.
- Place all PO’s in accordance with the Purchase Order and Demand procedure for prototype, sample, production materials, indirect materials and contract services in a timely manner and in line with overall project timing plans. Verifying that