Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage key suppliers and oversee procurement processes for innovative projects.
- Company: Join Bailey of Bristol, a leading manufacturer of leisure vehicles with a strong community focus.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, excellent holiday entitlement, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and professional development in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that drives efficiency and innovation in the supply chain.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, communication abilities, and experience with ERP systems are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
You will be responsible for managing key suppliers within assigned commodity bases. Your role will involve comprehensive project management, encompassing analysis, market research, and issuing RFQs. Working closely with the supply chain team, Product Development Engineers, and Designers, you will provide tactical support to accounts while actively overseeing suppliers within the designated category. Your focus areas will include pricing, stock holding, risk mitigation, obsolescence, and packaging. Continuously update MRP system in line with supplier agreements and negotiations.
Supplier Relationships:
- Vendor Selection: Identify and evaluate potential supplier partners based on quality, cost, delivery, reliability, environmental credentials, and other relevant criteria.
- Negotiation: Negotiate contracts & agreements with suppliers to secure favourable terms & service levels.
- Relationship Management: Foster strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring clear communication, addressing concerns, and resolving issues promptly.
- Performance Evaluation: Monitor supplier performance regularly, assessing adherence to agreements and implementing improvements where necessary.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks associated with supplier relationships, such as disruptions in the supply chain or quality issues.
New Product Part Requirements:
- Collaboration: Work closely with product development teams to understand the specifications and requirements for new components or parts.
- Sourcing Strategy: Develop strategies to source new parts or materials, considering factors like quality, cost, lead times, and availability.
- Supplier Qualification: Evaluate potential new suppliers to ensure they meet the required standards and capabilities for the new product parts.
- Timeline Management: Coordinate procurement activities to align with product development timelines and ensure timely availability of required parts.
- Compliance: Ensure selected parts or materials comply with relevant regulations and quality standards.
Cost Management:
- Cost Analysis: Analyse pricing structures, market trends, & supplier offers to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Budgeting: Develop and manage budgets for the procurement of goods within the assigned category, aiming for cost efficiency.
- Cost Negotiation: Negotiate pricing & terms to achieve cost reductions without compromising quality.
- Continuous Improvement: Implement strategies to continuously improve cost-effectiveness, such as value engineering or process optimization.
- Reporting: Generate reports and metrics to track cost-saving initiatives, procurement expenses, and cost performance within the category.
Proficiency in MS Office, relational databases, and ERP systems (e.g., SAP). Understanding of manufacturing processes. Strong analytical skills and business acumen. Aptitude for problem-solving with keen attention to detail. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Exceptional organizational abilities. Proficiency in Excel and data interpretation. Experience in working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams. Prior experience working with ERP systems. Well-organised and self-motivated individual with a structured approach to work management. Ability to make informed and logical decisions. A team player who collaborates effectively across various organizational functions. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proactive approach towards continuously improving processes. Adherence to all health and safety procedures.
Our Procurement team manages the materials and supplier partnerships that keep our business moving. From material control and purchasing through to supplier management, the team ensures we have the right resources, at the right time, and at the right quality. With a focus on value, reliability, and strong relationships, they play a vital role in supporting production and driving the efficiency of the entire supply chain.
Bailey of Bristol is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of leisure vehicles, with a proud history of craftsmanship and innovation. We are committed to producing high-quality leisure vehicles that inspire adventure, and we take pride in our skilled workforce, strong team culture, and dedication to excellence. We have been building Bailey leisure vehicles here in South Bristol since 1948 and are now very much part of the local community. We are also the tenth largest private company in Bristol and the largest recruiter in the area. The majority of our employees live nearby and have been with us for a long time, with the average length of service around 10 years. As a result, our workforce possesses the necessary skill and experience to successfully produce a complex range of caravans, motorhomes, and campervans in the same production facility. As a large business, we have opportunities in many areas and can offer people wide and varied careers, all of which attract an excellent benefits package. We are continually reviewing our offering to ensure we remain an employer of choice in the local area.
Financial & Remuneration:
- Competitive salaries (with entry-level hourly rates above the Real Living Wage)
- Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance Cover from day 1 of employment
- Salary exchange Cycle to Work scheme
- Financial support through salary advance and travel loan schemes.
Social & Culture:
- Excellent holiday entitlement (25 days a year plus Bank Holidays) with additional entitlement for long service
- Enhanced family friendly pay; Maternity pay (24 weeks full pay followed by 15 weeks statutory pay) / Paternity pay (2 weeks full pay)
- Longer weekends as a result of an early finish every Friday (role dependent & subject to business needs)
- Monthly recognition awards
- 25% discount at our partner company PRIMA Leisure
Health & Wellbeing:
- Health cashback scheme
- Corporate gym memberships
- Bi-weekly free fruit Mondays
- Employee Assistance Program
- On-site Mental Health First Aiders
- HRT treatment support
Learning & Development:
- Dedicated induction & onboarding
- Career progression opportunities
- Role-specific training
- Opportunity to apply for Apprenticeship Levy support courses
Category Buyer in Bristol employer: Bailey of Bristol
Contact Detail:
Bailey of Bristol Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its suppliers. Understand their products and market position so you can speak confidently about how you can contribute to their success. Tailor your answers to show you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure favourable terms. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Buyer role. Highlight your experience with supplier management, negotiation skills, and any relevant project management experience. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your analytical skills and proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel. Mention any experience you have with ERP systems like SAP, as this will definitely catch our eye. We love a candidate who can crunch numbers and interpret data!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-organised application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bailey of Bristol
✨Know Your Suppliers
Before the interview, research the key suppliers relevant to the role. Understand their strengths, weaknesses, and market position. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge of supplier relationships and show that you're proactive about managing them.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used analytical skills in past roles. Bring examples of how you've conducted market research or analysed pricing structures. This will highlight your ability to make informed decisions and contribute to cost management.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Be ready to share experiences where you've worked closely with cross-functional teams, like product development or supply chain. Emphasising your teamwork skills will show that you can effectively collaborate to meet project timelines and objectives.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Think of specific negotiation experiences you've had, whether successful or challenging. Be prepared to discuss your approach to securing favourable terms with suppliers, as this is a crucial part of the Category Buyer role.