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 Newport
Although Newport can trace its history back to at least medieval times, when its castle was built, it was the Industrial Revolution that turned the town into what it is now, a city of over 140,000 people. Its location on the south of Wales, adjacent to the Severn Estuary opposite Bristol, made it an ideal place for a port to transport the vast amounts of coal, as well as iron, that were being mined from South Wales. For a time, the town had a larger population than Cardiff.
Although the docks are not as busy as they used to be, the town has remained active, with a diverse range of manufacturing, service industry and governmental offices being based there. It is home to Sims Metal Management’s huge scrap recycling plant, which boasts the world’s largest car crusher and links by road, water and rail. The UK’s HQ of the Office for National Statistics and the IPO (patents office) are based there, as well as the Welsh HQs of the Charity Commission and the British Red Cross.
Panasonic and International Rectifier have large factories in Newport, and EADS’s security division, Cassadian, is also located there. With such a diverse range of industries and great communications, Category Buyer vacancies are quite common in Newport.
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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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