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- Tasks: Negotiate with suppliers and manage sourcing processes for indirect services.
- Company: Join a top global food brand known for valuing employees and fostering growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility, a 5% bonus, and a pension plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values curiosity and resilience while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in procurement or supply chain roles, strong analytical skills, and experience in retail or FMCG.
- Other info: Work in a fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview: Talent Drive is excited to announce our partnership with this fantastic global food brand who are seeking a Category Buyer to join their growing team to focus on Indirect Services. With the support of the Procurement team, you will have the autonomy to negotiate with suppliers, build strong relationships, and manage the end-to-end execution of the sourcing process. Joining this fantastic team means being part of an environment that values curiosity, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced setting. They are proud to have received several accolades in recognition of their commitment to employees, including being named as Britain’s Top Employer three years running.
Key responsibilities:
- Build strong partnerships with Operations teams in order to manage supplier performance.
- Support business functions with forecasting and general supply chain management for key strategic suppliers within indirect, to ensure they have the right stock at the right price and the right time.
- Manage multiple projects across the whole indirect space.
- Focus on improving the organisation's profitability through analysis, action planning and execution.
- Key areas of focus include operations contracts (such as waste, uniforms and smallwares), repairs and maintenance and development.
- Lead the analysis of supplier and contract performance to identify opportunities to reduce spend and improve execution.
- Work cross-functionally to implement and track projects to deliver benefit.
- Support the definition of the category and sourcing strategy that delivers on short- and long-term goals.
Skills and experience required:
- Strong analytical skills, ability to extract meaningful conclusions from data.
- Experience in a food service/FMCG or retail environment.
- Proven experience of working collaboratively in a complex stakeholder environment.
- Proven experience in understanding contract KPIs and successfully driving supplier performance.
- Supply Chain or procurement experience.
- 2+ years in an Analyst, Buyer, Supply chain, Store management or equivalent role preferably in retail, food service, FMCG.
Salary and Benefits:
- 5% bonus
- Pension
Category Buyer - Indirects employer: JR United Kingdom
Contact Detail:
JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer - Indirects
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific indirect services relevant to the food industry. Understanding the nuances of contracts related to waste management, uniforms, and repairs will give you an edge in discussions with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement and supply chain sectors, especially those who have experience in FMCG or retail. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your analytical skills in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've used data to drive decisions or improve supplier performance in previous roles, as this is a key requirement for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s recent achievements and values, particularly their commitment to employee satisfaction. This knowledge will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in joining their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer - Indirects
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, supply chain management, and any roles that demonstrate your analytical skills. Use keywords from the job description to align your experience with what the company is looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background in food service or FMCG aligns with their needs, and provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships or improved performance in previous roles.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Since strong analytical skills are crucial for this position, consider including a section in your application that outlines specific projects where you used data analysis to drive decisions or improve outcomes. This will demonstrate your capability to extract meaningful conclusions from data.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Given the emphasis on working collaboratively in a complex stakeholder environment, include examples in your application that showcase your ability to work cross-functionally. Mention any successful projects where you partnered with different teams to achieve common goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom
✨Research the Company
Before your interview, take some time to learn about the global food brand and its values. Understanding their mission and recent achievements will help you align your answers with what they are looking for in a Category Buyer.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to work collaboratively in complex stakeholder environments. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your analytical skills and how you've successfully driven supplier performance.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Category Buyer, strong analytical skills are crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to make informed decisions in previous roles, particularly in procurement or supply chain management.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in indirect services or how they measure success in supplier performance to demonstrate your proactive mindset.
