At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead category strategies, manage suppliers, and drive cost efficiencies.
- Company: Join Buttress, a collaborative UK-wide group focused on innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and access to exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with social events and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting change and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Buttress is a UK-wide group of specialist companies, delivering end-to-end services through a connected and collaborative approach. By combining expertise across our businesses, we provide smarter, more efficient and increasingly sustainable solutions across the commercial catering and service industries. We are now seeking a strategic and commercially driven Category Manager to lead the development and execution of category strategies that deliver value, reduce risk, and support business objectives. In this role, you will manage supplier relationships, drive cost efficiencies, and ensure alignment with organisational goals.
- Category Strategy & Planning
- Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives
- Conduct market analysis, supplier benchmarking, and industry research
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and innovation within the category
- Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers
- Lead supplier negotiations to secure best value (cost, quality, service)
- Monitor supplier performance using KPIs and SLAs
- Commercial & Financial Management
- Deliver cost savings and value improvements across assigned categories
- Manage budgets and track category spend
- Support forecasting and demand planning activities
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders (operations, finance, legal, etc.)
- Provide expert advice on procurement strategies and supplier selection
- Ensure alignment between procurement and business needs
- Risk & Compliance
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks
- Ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
- Support sustainability and ESG initiatives within the supply base
- Contract Management
- Support end-to-end sourcing activities (RFPs, RFQs, tenders)
- Negotiate and manage contracts to ensure value and compliance
- Maintain accurate contract documentation
Key Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in category management, procurement, or supply chain
- Strong negotiation skills with sound commercial judgement
- Experience managing supplier relationships and contracts
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and drive insight
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders
What You'll Bring
- Strategic thinking – able to take a long-term, value-driven approach
- Influencing and negotiation – confident in driving outcomes and challenging where needed
- Commercial awareness – understands financial impact and business priorities
- Problem-solving and decision-making – able to assess options and act decisively
- Relationship management – builds credibility and maintains strong partnerships
Desirable
- CIPS qualification (or working towards)
- Experience within the warewashing or catering industry
- Knowledge of procurement systems (e.g. SAP, Coupa, Ariba)
What We Offer
- A competitive salary
- Pension scheme to support your future
- Access to a wide range of discounts through our Perks platform via Employment Hero
- The opportunity to represent three of the most respected brands in the industry
- A supportive, down-to-earth culture where people genuinely enjoy working together
- A social team – from informal get-togethers to our summer and Christmas parties
- Autonomy to manage your diary and approach
- The chance to be part of an exciting period of change, with a real focus on innovation — with new benefits, ways of working and development opportunities evolving as we grow.
Category Manager in Brackley employer: Maidaid
Buttress is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture, where employees are encouraged to innovate and grow. As a Category Manager, you will enjoy competitive salaries, a robust pension scheme, and access to exclusive discounts, all while working alongside respected brands in the industry. With a focus on employee development and a vibrant social atmosphere, Buttress offers a unique opportunity to thrive in a dynamic environment during an exciting period of change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Brackley
✨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 Buttress and understanding their values and goals. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering smarter and sustainable solutions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best value. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨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 team at Buttress.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Brackley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management, procurement, and supplier relationships. 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 role. Share specific examples of your strategic thinking and negotiation skills that demonstrate your commercial awareness.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires an analytical mindset, don’t forget to mention any relevant data analysis or market research you've done. We love seeing how you can interpret data to drive insights and cost-saving opportunities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maidaid
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of category management within the catering and service industries. Familiarise yourself with current market trends, key suppliers, and potential cost-saving opportunities. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also demonstrate your strategic thinking skills.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you secured value for your company. Be ready to discuss your approach to building supplier relationships and how you've successfully navigated challenges. This will highlight your strong commercial judgement and ability to influence outcomes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve collaborated with different departments in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you provided expert advice on procurement strategies or aligned procurement with business needs. This will illustrate your excellent communication skills and relationship management abilities.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Mindset
Bring along examples of how you've used data to drive insights and decision-making in your previous roles. Discuss any tools or systems you've used, like SAP or Coupa, to manage budgets and track category spend. This will showcase your analytical mindset and problem-solving capabilities.
