Category Specialist

Purpose: To deliver a Cost Base Reduction (CBR) committed to the Authority through the development of a cost-effective, commercially-driven supply base, and meets the requirements for Governance and availability.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support the Category Manager to capture and analyse data on the existing supply chain, the commercial markets and potential new entrants to the market.
• Based on the data analysis, assist in the creation and maintenance of strategy plans, working with all stakeholders to deliver the CBR and availability requirements.
• Collate all documentation developed by Commodity, Category, and Acquisition and Contracts Management, required to support the tendering of the Category requirements.
• Participate in routine cross-functional efforts within CSS.
• Assist in collaborating with all stakeholders for data gathering and analysis to update the Category Managers.
• Collate document packs that consolidate all the information for a specific category in order that the strategy can be enacted and tendered by Acquisition and Contract Management.
• Conduct basic supplier assessment to ensure the suppliers proposed to Acquisition and Contract Management are of sound standing both commercially and financially.
• Updating the Cost Base Reduction (CBR) tracker.
• Identifying suppliers with the best capability to satisfy customer requirements.
• Assist the Category Managers in collaborating with suppliers through direct engagement to clearly communicate customer requirements and understand supplier constraints compared with customer requirements, to contract for the best possible result from suppliers and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Participate in every review of the Supplier Scorecards so as to nurture our supplier relationships.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in a relevant Purchasing / Supply Chain environment.
• Ideally educated to HND / Degree Level Qualification in relevant subject, MCIPS qualified or working towards, or equivalent qualification.
• Professional and Ethical in Approach.
• Proven ability to persuade, influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent Communicator at all Levels across all Media.
• Good Understanding of Supply Chain Management and Procurement, including Best Practise Purchasing and Sourcing Tools and Techniques.
• MS Office. Excel proficient.
• Ability to manage a dynamic workload and prioritise activities to achieve business objectives.
• Proven ability to manage complex requirements to timely conclusion, ensuring buy-in from other functions.
• Time management.
• Project management.

The successful candidate will be required to go through a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance.

In return for your hard work, we offer excellent career progression opportunities and a professional environment where you can acquire, use, and continue developing your skills.

Your package will include:

• Competitive Salary and pension scheme with life assurance.
• 25 Days Holiday (plus 8 statutory Bank Holidays).
• Holiday buy-back scheme (5 additional days available).
• Employee Assistance Programme supporting wellness with immediate access to:

• GP consultation and second opinions.
• Mental health support.
• Financial and Legal support.
• Wellbeing and healthy living support.

At TVS SCS we encourage and support our employees to realise their potential. They are empowered to take initiative and achieve high impact results that really make a difference to our business and our customers.

If you require any adjustments to allow you to take a full and active part in the selection process, please notify us as part of your application. Please note TVS Supply Chain Solutions is an Equal Opportunities Employer. TVS have signed the Armed Forces covenant and are a forces friendly employer.