At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate with the Category team to drive sourcing strategies and achieve cost reductions.
- Company: Join a leading veterinary services company focused on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for travel and collaboration across teams in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with global suppliers and innovative products.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 4 or equivalent experience, strong negotiation skills, and a customer-focused mindset.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Main purpose of the role
Work in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets, including achieving annual cost-price reductions through strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier development.
Key Responsibilities
- Delivering Category and Commercial Performance
- Work in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets.
- Translate product specifications, volume forecasts, and price requirements from the Category team into commercially viable sourcing strategies across domestic and international markets.
- Drive year-on-year cost-price reductions through proactive negotiation, supplier optimisation, and continuous cost-improvement initiatives.
- Provide regular performance reporting, analysing progress against KPIs and identifying corrective actions where targets are at risk.
- Global Sourcing and Supplier Management
- Source products from the most competitive global suppliers, including overseas manufacturers, ensuring best-in-market cost prices while meeting required quality, service and compliance standards.
- Work in conjunction with Global Sourcing strategies with Patterson as appropriate.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure favourable commercial terms, negotiate cost reductions, mitigate risk and identify opportunities for product differentiation and exclusivity.
- Negotiate and manage all supplier agreements including contracts, SLA, NDAs in line with business processes and requirements.
- Develop new supplier pipelines—both UK and international—to support innovation, own-brand development, and long-term category growth.
- Attend relevant trade shows and supplier visits to identify emerging products, new sourcing territories, and cost-saving opportunities.
- Importing, Logistics, and Stock Flow
- Work with the appropriate business teams to manage end-to-end importing processes from any territory, ensuring compliance with customs, duty, and regulatory requirements.
- Work closely with Material Planners to ensure accurate forecasting, timely ordering and effective stock flow, balancing availability with financial and working-capital objectives.
- With the planning team, monitor supplier lead times, production schedules, and shipping timelines, expediting orders where necessary to maintain optimum stock levels.
- Market Insight
- Maintain a good understanding of the veterinary and adjacent markets, including competitor activity, pricing trends, and emerging sourcing regions in order to make informed decisions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Share insights, supplier intelligence, and sourcing opportunities across the business to support collaborative decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Additional Responsibilities
- Support the Head of Product Management with ad hoc tasks that contribute to the effective running of the department.
- Uphold strong internal communication and documentation standards to ensure transparency and alignment across teams.
- Deputise for the Head of Product Management as required to ensure that the Category Team are represented as appropriate.
Personal attributes: Qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge and competencies required to fulfil the role
Essential
- CIPS Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience (5+ years in a senior procurement role)
- Strong influencing and negotiation skills
- In depth knowledge and experience in direct/production procurement from different markets
- Previous buying experience in a relevant role
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Excellent communicator (written & verbal)
- Highly customer focused
- Capable of working in a team environment, collaborating with others to meet customers needs whilst achieving targets
- Computer literate (Excel, Power Point, Word)
- Excellent analytical skills
- Commercially minded relationship builder
- Highly motivated, results oriented individual
- Ability to travel in UK and overseas – hold full UK Driving License
Category Management - Category Buyer in Stoke-on-Trent employer: National Veternary Service
National Veterinary Services Limited is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a collaborative and supportive work culture. As a Category Buyer, you will have the opportunity to engage in strategic sourcing and supplier management while benefiting from a strong focus on professional advancement and a commitment to achieving meaningful results in the veterinary sector. Located in a dynamic environment, the company offers unique advantages such as access to global markets and innovative product development, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career.
Contact Details:
National Veternary Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Management - Category Buyer in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like National Veternary Service.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Management - Category Buyer in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to National Veternary Service:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to National Veternary Service. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like National Veternary Service.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Veternary Service
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at National Veternary Service!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at National Veternary Service. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into National Veternary Service's culture.
