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- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and ensure smooth procurement processes for critical parts.
- Company: Join CAF Rail UK, a leader in rail innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a great pension scheme, and health care cash plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that enhances commuting safety and reliability with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong communication skills, and proficiency in ERP systems required.
- Other info: Flexible working, professional development opportunities, and a culture of inclusivity await you.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
ABOUT CAF
Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast‑paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community. Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers. Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we’re always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be! We wouldn’t be where we are without our people. Working together as a team, we strive to achieve great things while supporting each other to thrive along the way. We’re going places, so apply today and become part of our exciting journey.
What can you expect from CAF
- Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
- Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
- Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
- Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
- Cutting‑edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.
What will be your role in the company?
The Category Buyer will support CAF Rail UK’s Procurement & Supply Chain function during a critical period of overhaul transition and supplier governance enhancement. This fixed‑term role has been created to strengthen operational procurement control across overhaul services, and critical repairable parts, ensuring delivery stability, cost control, and performance compliance. Working closely with the Category Manager and wider technical teams, the Category Buyer will be responsible for the day to day commercial management of suppliers, purchase order governance, expediting, and performance tracking across designated categories. The role is key to supporting the department’s objective of improving supply resilience, increasing visibility of sub tier risk, and embedding stronger procurement discipline as overhaul activities evolve. The successful candidate will ensure that supply chain processes move from reactive firefighting to structured, performance‑led management aligned to CAF Rail UK’s service obligations and reliability commitments.
What will make you successful in this position?
- Proven experience in procurement or purchasing, ideally within rail, engineering or a technical industry.
- Strong understanding of supply chain processes and supplier performance metrics.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills when working with suppliers and internal teams.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to organise, prioritise and take ownership of work.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience in negotiation, cost/value evaluation and efficiency improvement.
- Proficiency with ERP/procurement systems (e.g. SAP) and Microsoft Office tools.
- Ability to analyse data, generate reports and support continuous improvement activities.
- A qualification in Supply Chain, Business or equivalent professional experience (CIPS desirable).
ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER
A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF. Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), not forgetting to mention our generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few! Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF. As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree‑planting, company‑wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We’re creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks!
Category Buyer - FTC until Jan 2027 in Stockport employer: CAF Power & Automation
Contact Detail:
CAF Power & Automation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer - FTC until Jan 2027 in Stockport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 CAF and understanding their values and mission. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their goals, especially around innovation and reliability.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial acumen. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build 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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our exciting journey at CAF.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer - FTC until Jan 2027 in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement, especially within rail or technical industries, and show us how you can contribute to our mission at CAF.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your strong communication and relationship-building skills. We want to see how you’ve successfully managed suppliers and internal teams in the past, so give us some solid examples!
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key in this role. Make sure your application is free from typos and clearly organised. This will reflect your ability to manage procurement processes effectively and take ownership of your work.
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 and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at CAF!
How to prepare for a job interview at CAF Power & Automation
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially in the rail or engineering sectors. Understand supply chain processes and be ready to discuss supplier performance metrics. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in the industry.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working closely with suppliers and internal teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think of examples where you've built strong relationships or resolved conflicts. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
✨Be Detail-Oriented
Prepare to showcase your attention to detail. Bring examples of how you've organised and prioritised tasks in previous roles. You might even want to mention specific tools or methods you use to keep everything on track, as this aligns with the structured management approach CAF is looking for.
✨Get Familiar with ERP Systems
If you have experience with ERP systems like SAP, make sure to highlight it. If not, do a bit of research to understand how these systems work. Being able to analyse data and generate reports is crucial, so showing that you’re proactive about learning can really set you apart.