At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive supply chain performance and manage a diverse product portfolio.
- Company: Established international distributor with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Annual salary reviews, biannual bonuses, and free lunch.
- Other info: Join a successful team and contribute to future growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Influence product strategy and supplier performance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and supplier management.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
An established and growing international distributor is seeking an experienced Senior Product / Category Buyer to take ownership of a diverse product portfolio and drive end-to-end supply chain performance. This is a broad and commercially focused position, combining purchasing, supplier management, inventory planning, product introduction, compliance and quality improvement. Working closely with senior leadership, you will play a key role in ensuring product availability, optimising supplier performance and supporting the continued growth of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute purchasing and supply chain strategies for a designated product range.
- Manage inventory levels to balance customer demand, stock availability and working capital requirements.
- Forecast demand and implement effective replenishment plans across multiple product categories.
- Oversee the purchasing process from order placement through to delivery.
- Coordinate international supply chains and work closely with freight and logistics partners to ensure timely product availability.
- Lead supplier performance reviews, driving improvements in cost, quality, service and delivery.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing and supply terms with global manufacturing partners.
- Support new product introduction projects, from supplier selection and product evaluation through to launch.
- Manage product lifecycle activities including range rationalisation, replacements and discontinuations.
- Ensure products meet relevant regulatory and compliance requirements for the UK market.
- Monitor product performance and quality metrics, implementing continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers.
- Collaborate with technical, sales, marketing and operations teams to support successful product launches and ongoing commercial performance.
- Analyse market trends, competitor activity and cost drivers to identify sourcing opportunities and margin improvements.
About You
- Proven experience within procurement, purchasing, supply chain or product management in a manufacturing, distribution or import/export environment.
- Strong supplier management and negotiation skills.
- Experience managing overseas suppliers and international supply chains.
- Commercially astute with the ability to analyse data and make informed decisions.
- Knowledge of product compliance, quality standards or regulatory requirements would be advantageous.
- Confident working cross-functionally with technical, operations and commercial teams.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded procurement or supply chain professional to join a successful business where they can influence product strategy, supplier performance and operational excellence while contributing directly to future growth.
Benefits
- Annual salary review
- Bonuses twice yearly
- Lunch provided
- Life Assurance
Equal Opportunity
Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation.
Senior Product / Category Buyer employer: Huntress
Join an established and growing international distributor that values your expertise as a Senior Product / Category Buyer. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from annual salary reviews, biannual bonuses, and a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration across teams. This role not only offers the chance to influence product strategy and supplier performance but also provides a unique opportunity to thrive in a dynamic environment where your contributions directly impact the company's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product / Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Senior Product/Category Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its supply chain strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions related to procurement and supplier management so you can showcase your expertise confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, focus on specific examples where you improved supplier performance or optimised inventory levels. We want to see how you can bring value to the team!
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product / Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Product / Category Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, supplier management, and inventory planning. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your achievements in supply chain performance and product management that relate to our job description.
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills:Since negotiation is key in this role, make sure to include examples of successful negotiations you've led. We love seeing how you’ve driven improvements in cost, quality, and service with suppliers!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huntress
✨Know Your Product Portfolio
Before the interview, dive deep into the product categories you'll be managing. Understand their market trends, competitors, and any recent changes in compliance or quality standards. This knowledge will show your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about the products you'll be handling.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with supplier negotiations and performance reviews. Prepare specific examples of how you've improved supplier relationships or driven cost efficiencies. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and optimise supplier performance effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
Since the role requires analysing data to make informed decisions, come prepared with examples of how you've used data analysis in past roles. Whether it's forecasting demand or identifying sourcing opportunities, showing your analytical skills will highlight your commercial acumen.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This position involves working closely with various teams. Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with technical, sales, or operations teams. Highlighting these experiences will illustrate your ability to work cross-functionally and support successful product launches.
