Category Analyst Jobs
Category analysis is a key strategic role, assisting with the profitability of the company by minimising waste and eliminating overstocking and under-ordering. The modern role involves a good deal of computer analysis but also plenty of interpersonal work with suppliers and those at the customer-facing side of the business.
Much of the work will be involved with identifying trends and predicting future events that will influence the needs of the categories under your control, particularly by identifying opportunities and threats. Just as important will be looking into your own past actions and judging whether or not they corrected the problem and if there was improvement, identifying areas where even more efficiency can be introduced into the system.
Regular contact with suppliers will be required as it is they who will ultimately determine whether your plans can be fulfilled. Since they will have their own supply needs, the accuracy and timeliness of your projections will be key to maintaining supply.
The category analyst will also need to keep abreast of new procurement technologies and systems as these might be able to provide long-term efficiencies to the company.
Depending on the size of the employer, the category analyst will report directly to senior management or to intermediated category managers.
The skills required
Superb analysis skills will be required for this role, and although much of the number crunching will be computerised, there’s a strong human element to the role. The category analyst will be required to keep in touch with national and global news and cultural events which could influence future opportunities negatively or positively. You must have the confidence in your results to take action in a timely and effective manner.
Experience of the specific sector in question is usually considered an advantage in category analysis, as some trends might be unknown to outsiders. Good Excel experience will usually be considered essential, and skills in SAP, Oracle and Business Objects are often required.
Category Analyst Jobs in Stafford
Staffordshire’s county town of Stafford is relatively small by county town standards, with its population of just over 50,000; in fact Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth and Newcastle-under-Lyme are larger. That said, Stafford is at the centre of a cluster of towns whose populations total over 120,000. Stafford is located on the M6 and is about half way between Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham, each of which is approximately 14 miles (22 km) distant.
The town’s history is varied and well documented to the fifth century, and the eleventh-century castle stands to this day. Stafford used to have a long tradition of shoemaking, which sadly died out in the latter 20th century. It was also a major railway hub until the reforms of the 1960s led to the closure of the Stafford & Uttoxeter Railway and the Shropshire Union Railway, and with them Stafford became a relatively normal through line between Crewe and Birmingham and London.
Occasionally, Category Analyst jobs become available in Stafford, as it is a relatively populous region and some major manufacturing plants are found there. The electrical engineering giant Alstrom, which makes huge electrical transformers, is in the middle of the town, and Bostik and Littleworth (diesel engines) have large sites here; there are also a few trading and industrial estates and a sizeable shopping centre. Being the county town, the public sector is a large employer, and Stafford also serves as a commuter town for the cities to the north and south.
Popular locations
Discover category analyst opportunities with Cast UK
Cast UK are dedicated to filling roles in the procurement sector, so whether you are looking for promotion or moving home or just feel the need to try something different, please give us a call.
Because of the calibre of talent we provide, employers consider us a vital part in their recruitment process. Many employers trust us to provide a shortlist for interview, saving them time and money and ensuring the candidates we suggest are best suited to the roles.
We are always welcoming new candidates, so do get in touch and get yourself on our books, even if you’re not looking for work right now; you never know what opportunities will arise in the near future!
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Category Analyst for your business or find you a job as a Category Analyst then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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