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- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships, negotiate pricing, and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Dynamic company in the engineering/manufacturing sector with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Join a team where your negotiation skills can make a real impact on supply chain efficiency.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and experience with MRP systems.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to work in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Purpose As a Category Buyer, you will take ownership for a defined group of commodities within upholstery and soft trim, being a focal point for the business and providing commodity management expertise. You'll manage supplier relationships, issue RFQ’s and tenders, negotiate contracts, drive cost reduction initiatives, improve supplier performance and control delivery of goods / materials to ensure smooth manufacturing operations, in a thriving NPI production environment. In addition, you will contribute to creation of commodity sourcing strategies aligned with market trends and business goals. Key Responsibilities – Build and manage supplier relationships, driving performance, quality and on-time delivery to Operations and other internal departmental needs and requirements – Serve as the focal point for Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activities with suppliers – Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, resolving technical, quality and delivery issues in collaboration with internal stakeholders – Lead end-to-end sourcing activity, including RFIs, RFQs, supplier evaluation and contract award – Negotiate pricing, lead times and commercial terms / LTA’s to achieve cost savings – Drive sustainable and ethical sourcing practices across the supply-chain – Develop, create and deliver Procurement strategies for the commodities and critical suppliers, securing a global supply base that meets the business cost, reliability and performance targets – Contribute to the overall Procurement make vs buy strategy, identifying opportunities and synergies both within the supply chain and current make portfolio – Provide recommendations based on analysis, research, trends, benchmarking and best practice – Leverage project / change management skills to manage outsourcing / re-sourcing projects Key Performance Measures – On-time ordering (Purchasing placement) to the MRP demand signal – Supplier delivery (OTIF) and quality (defect rate) performance – Creation and execution of commodity specific sourcing strategies – Spend control (vs budget) and attainment of annual cost reduction targets Key Challenges * An appropriate balance of “Purchasing” (transactional) vs “Procurement” (strategic) * Operating in an NPI business environment, meaning; * Heavily reliance on master data, planning, engineering and design collaboration * A high reliance on an agile yet robust supply-chain, to support variability in manufacturing processes and component design Knowledge, Education, Skills and Experience Knowledge: * Category Supply Market knowledge, as detailed below; * “Upholstery” Commodity (Interior décor for Aerospace cabin systems) * Upholstery, fabrics, leathers, thread, and webbing materials * Critical features include appearance, comfort and durability * Driven by functional needs and aesthetic design * A diverse commodity driven by consumer personalisation, expanded even more through eco-friendly (renewable / recycled) and high performance requirement Education * CIPS qualification / Advanced Practitioner or equivalent is preferred Skills and competencies required * Adept at maintaining business relationships with internal and external stakeholders, even in geographically dispersed teams * Able to proactively identify and evaluate issues, and problem solve with creative and innovative thinking, in complex / ambiguous situations and with incomplete data * The ability to influence decision making at all levels, and across all functions * Skilled negotiator with both external and internal stakeholders * Collaborative team player able to work across businesses and geographies * Strong initiative and commitment to accomplishing work and achieving results / deadlines * Demonstrates exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers * Offers new ideas and creative suggestions for continuous improvement * Ability to interpret technical manufacturing drawings and part templates * Actively participates in professional development and training opportunities * Leader or influencer of change (processes, projects, procedures) * Professional-level communication required (verbal, written, listening) * Intermediate to advanced technology skills (ERP, PowerBI, Microsoft Office) * High degree of integrity as data confidentiality is paramount to this position * Ability to create, analyse, interpret, summarise and effectively communicate complex information Professional experience – Demonstrated experience in commodity procurement (>3 years) – Upholstery and Soft Trim commodities strongly preferred – Demonstrated experience of Procuring for an NPI production environment is preferred – Demonstrated Procurement experience (>5 years) in a manufacturing environment – Aerospace or highly regulated industry is preferred – Demonstrated development and execution of structured commodity strategies, including negotiating pricing agreements and creation of contracts – Sound understanding of end-to-end supply-chain planning and MRP systems Key Relationships & Interaction (Optional) Internal Relationships & Interactions: Confident working with all key individuals and teams in the supply chain and operational functions External Relationships & Interactions: Confident working with external suppliers of all sizes and in all geographies Other material requirements, such as working arrangements, travel requirements Travel as and when required Please note; – Numerous positions at AVIC Cabin Systems UK LTD are governed by security and export control regulations. These rules indicate that elements such as your nationality/ any prior nationalities you may have held, and your birthplace can influence the positions you are qualified to undertake within the organisation. All candidates must at least meet the baseline personnel security standard. Additionally, certain roles demand elevated levels of National security vetting ACS UK ltd is an equal opportunities employer
Category Buyer employer: AVIC Cabin Systems (UK) Limited
Contact Detail:
AVIC Cabin Systems (UK) Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to suppliers you might work with. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain processes. Know their products and how they manage their procurement. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Buyer role. Highlight your procurement experience, especially any achievements in managing supplier relationships and negotiating contracts. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with MRP systems and your knack for problem-solving.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver savings and manage stock levels effectively. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re keen and ready to join the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AVIC Cabin Systems (UK) Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate strong numerical skills. Brush up on your ability to analyse and interpret complex data. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to drive savings or improve supplier performance.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Negotiating pricing agreements is key in this role. Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Think about the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved, as this will show your potential employer that you can secure the best terms for the company.
✨Supplier Relationship Savvy
Building and maintaining supplier relationships is crucial. Come prepared with examples of how you've developed strong networks with suppliers. Highlight any specific strategies you've employed to ensure quality and reliability in supply, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
With project management experience being desirable, be ready to discuss any relevant projects you've managed. Talk about your approach to managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations, especially in a time-critical environment, to demonstrate your capability in handling complex tasks.