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 Warrington
Halfway between Liverpool and Manchester lies Warrington, a large town with an industrial and commercial pedigree to match some of the UK’s smaller cities. It followed the traditional Northern path of booming during the Industrial Revolution, specialising in steel, textiles and chemical industries, as well as some brewing for good measure, much of which remains to this day.
The town is extremely well connected, with three major motorways, the M62, the M6 and the M56 passing its north, east and south respectively and A roads radiating out in all directions, typical of the market town it once was. The River Mersey passes through it, as do the Manchester Ship Canal and Bridgewater Canal and two major railway lines. With its population of over 200,000 people and a shopping area to rival any city, it’s a bustling and attractive town to live in.
Around the town’s edges are hundreds of large and small businesses, including a large Unilever detergent factory in the east. There are lots of warehouses and logistics companies in the area, too, that take advantage of its excellent communications and skilled workforce. There are few places like Warrington when it comes to finding a Category Analyst work, and there’s always a demand for such positions. Please get in touch if you’re looking for work in this area.
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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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