Category Buyer - Derbyshire

Category Buyer jobs

Responsible for sourcing and procurement, as well as negotiating contracts and monitoring supply levels, a Category Buyer plays an important part in the success of a business. After all, getting goods at a low price and to a set schedule is essential in order to meet client demands.

The category method of supply chain management is mainly used in the retail industry, although other sectors have also adopted the strategy. This technique involves organising products into smaller groups of related goods.

For example, a Category Buyer for a chain of supermarkets may specialise in paper goods, tinned vegetables, fresh poultry or women's clothing.

By specialising in a particular category, buyers can gain a better understanding of their market and make informed decisions that benefit the company and its customers.

The job of a Category Buyer will vary from employer to employer, but the role usually involves developing and implementing strategies for procuring goods, working with providers to improve the quality of the products and finding ways to reduce costs.

The skills required

Those applying for roles as a Category Buyer will need strong analytic skills be able to demonstrate an ability to evaluate information in a systematic way.

Communication and negotiation skills are a must and you should be just as comfortable working as part of a team as you are on your own. The role of a Category Buyer can be extremely stressful, so an ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines is vital.

Other useful skills include good organisation and self-motivation. Depending on the role, being able to speak foreign languages could be beneficial. You should also be proficient with the various software packages, as well as word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Category Buyer Jobs in Derbyshire

Situated in the East Midlands, Derbyshire is a county that shares a border with Greater Manchester, as well as Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Leicestershire.

Much of the Peak District is located within Derbyshire and just some of the towns in the region include Derby and Chesterfield, meaning there are many opportunities for those seeking Category Buyer positions.

For most of its history, Derbyshire's economy has been based on agriculture, while the mining of natural resources such as coal, iron, lead and limestone were of particular importance during the Industrial Revolution. Of these, only the limestone quarries are still in operation.

The chocolate company Thorntons was established near Alfreton in 1911 - its headquarters are still based there today.

After the second world war, the first diesel-electric mainline passenger train was unveiled at the Locomotive Works in Derby and the British Rail Research Division was opened in 1964 with an aim to improve the country's train network. This eventually became the DeltaRail Group, which currently provides software and other technology for signalling and control systems.

JBC-Power Systems manufactures engines in the south of the county, Buxton Water is bottled here and Bombardier Transportation builds the rolling stock for the London Underground network.

Other companies with manufacturing facilities or an otherwise large presence include Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Trebor Bassets.

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Discover procurement roles with Cast UK

If you're looking to take the next step in your career with a new position as a Category Buyer, Cast UK can help.

Our team of experienced consultants have a unique understanding of the industries in which we work and this knowledge means we can accurately and quickly find the best candidate for each role, saving both applicants and employers time in the recruitment process.

To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Category Buyer for your business or find you a job as a Category Buyer then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.

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