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 Hastings
Hastings has no historical claims on the UK’s culture – unless you count a minor scuffle in 1066 that changed the rulers of the nation forever. In fact, the main battle took place on a Senlac Hill, about 6 miles (10 km) to the northwest of the town, but it’s known to generations of schoolchildren as the Battle of Hastings. Perhaps if Harold had not needed to take his army north to repel an invasion of Norsemen just as the Norman invasion was happening, the battle, and British history, would have been very different. And that probably means we wouldn’t all be here, so we owe the Norwegians one!
The town became an important fishing village as time progressed, and fishing still plays a part in the town, and the largest beach-based fishing fleet in Europe is based there. The town, like many seaside towns, thrived during the Victorian period, especially when the railway came, and Hastings was one of a string of popular holiday destinations along the south coast. It still remains so.
Hastings is a relatively large town, with a static population approaching 100,000. Its tourism industry is its largest employer, but fishing and its related industries is still quite important. Around the town there are many small businesses and a few retail and industrial parks. The diversity of industry and the population that changes seasonally means that Category Buyer jobs do appear from time to time in Hastings, so it is always worth checking with us to see if anything is in the pipeline in or around the town.
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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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