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 Weston-super-Mare
Located 18 miles (30 km) south east of Bristol and directly across the Bristol Channel from Cardiff, Weston-super-Mare is a popular seaside resort that benefited hugely when the railways came its way in the 1800s. Its strange name comes from the Anglo-Saxon “west tun” (west settlement) and the Latin “super mare” meaning upon sea. One of the most influential engineers of all time, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, also used to live there, proving that peculiar names must be in the water – and probably explaining why a sleepy village got a railway!
The town did have some industry in the past. The Westland aircraft company, which was based in Yeovil, had its helicopter manufacturing and maintenance plant in Weston-super-Mare. The company is famous for its Wessex, Sea King, Puma and Lynx military, coastguard and rescue helicopter. One of the most famous helicopter pilots in the world (no, not Noel Edmonds), Prince William, pilots Sea Kings. The factory closed down in 2002, and Weston-super-Mare is now home to The Helicopter Museum.
Weston-super-Mare’s economy is mainly focused on tourism, but there is some industry and distribution activity in the area, partly due to its location as the gateway to the South West. Discount supermarket Lidl has its southern distribution centre there, and there is some other light industry in the town. While it may not seem the first place you’d look for a Category Analyst job, they do come up from time to time, and there will always be a demand in nearby Bristol too.
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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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