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 Derry
Derry is often called Londonderry after being granted a royal charter by James I (and is called Derry-Londonderry on its UK City of Culture 2013 website). The county, city and district variously share the name, but they all refer to the same place. Derry was the last city in Europe to be walled, in the early 17th century, and most if not all of the wall remains today. It was an important seaport, and played a huge part in World War II owing to its position as the westernmost port in the UK, indeed Allied Europe, as Iceland was neutral.
In peacetime, the city had a reputation as a shirt maker, with several factories springing up to make men’s shirts for export and domestic use. As with the Northern mill towns of England, however, this industry was all but gone by the 1980s, with most of this kind of work moving to Asia.
An important employer in the city has been Du Pont, who made Neoprene there for years, and more recently switched production to Kevlar and Lycra. There is also a burgeoning hi-tech manufacturing sector in the city. Seagate Technology, one of the world’s top hard disk drive manufacturers, makes more than half of its read/write heads in the Derry factory. The city is also home to Northern Ireland’s largest private company, Desmonds, plus a healthy smattering of multinationals.
With a population of around 100,000, a thriving shopping centre and a good deal of industry popping up in this regenerating city, Derry would appear to be a prime location to look for Category Buyer positions.
Popular locations
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.
Contact us