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 Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire is one of only a few landlocked counties in Scotland, surrounded as it is by Stirlingshire, Dunbartonshire, West Lothian, Peeblesshire, Dumfriesshire, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. It is named after the historic county town of Lanark, but the modern administrative headquarters is at Hamilton, a town with a population of 50,000 at its north western tip, close to Glasgow. Like most traditional Scottish counties, Lanarkshire’s borders have been altered and renamed, and the county is now split into North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire for council administration purposes.
Lanarkshire is a traditionally industrious region, with agriculture in the south and heavy industry in the north, and it is thus well connected via the UK’s road and rail network. The M74 between Carlisle and Glasgow passes through the heart of the county, as does the man railway line. Notable towns in Lanarkshire include Motherwell, East Kilbride and Airdrie. All this, and its proximity to Glasgow at its north west, make Lanarkshire a decent place to look for Category Buyer jobs.
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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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