Category Buyer

A leading global manufacturing organisation is looking to appoint an experienced Category Manager to join its team based in Hatfield. Offering a flexible hybrid working arrangement of up to two days per week from home, this is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in shaping and driving strategic sourcing activities across critical supply categories.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, leading commercial activities, and driving long-term supplier performance across key areas including PCBAs and electrical and mechanical assemblies.

Previous experience sourcing PCBAs is essential and will be a critical requirement for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage multi-year category strategies aligned to business objectives and future growth plans.
• Lead strategic sourcing projects, including supplier selection, competitive tenders, and complex commercial negotiations.
• Build detailed cost models, undertake should-cost analysis, and identify long-term cost reduction opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to drive collaboration and performance.
• Lead supplier development initiatives focused on quality improvements, delivery performance, process capability, and operational efficiency.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including reducing single-source dependencies through dual-sourcing and alternative supply strategies.
• Support new product introduction and production implementation activities, ensuring effective supplier engagement throughout the process.

About You

• Proven experience in a purchasing, procurement, or category management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience sourcing PCBAs is essential.
• Strong understanding of supplier management, strategic sourcing, and commercial negotiations.
• Experience working with MRP systems.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Significant experience managing end-to-end new product introduction and production implementation activities.

Salary

Up to £50k

This position offers hybrid working with 2 days per week from home.

This role will be well suited to you if you have held a role within purchasing or procurement as a buyer, sourcing specialist, commodity manager, category manager or senior buyer