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 St Helens
As towns go, St Helens is relatively new, only being formally declared a town in the middle of the 1800s as a result of the rapid growth and joining together of a number of small villages and hamlets. It’s fair to say that St Helens had a good Industrial Revolution, with good coal mining, chemical works, salt mining, lime and alkali extraction and copper smelting going on in the area. But all this was overshadowed by St Helens’s reputation as a glassmaking town, with several huge factories contributing to the success.
Glassmaking and coal mining survived as a large employers up until the 1980s and early 1990s, but it these associations have more or less left the town now, except for Pilkington, which remains in the town.
St Helens now exists as a mainly residential town, with retail and entertainment playing a large part. As well as a thriving town centre there are several retail outlets and supermarkets for big-name brands. It’s also in the commuter belt for both Liverpool and Manchester, and is well served by road and rail. The blend of industry and residential trade does create the opportunity for Category Buyer vacancies to appear in St Helens, and we have found several of these or related placements in recent years.
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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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