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- Tasks: Own and grow a product category using digital strategies for maximum impact.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing IT solutions company in Birmingham City Centre.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, gym access, hybrid working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with ongoing development opportunities and a city centre office.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of digital innovation in the IT market and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: 3 years' experience in IT procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 30000 £ per year.
The Category Buyer is responsible for owning, developing, and growing a product category, using digital channels and platform-based buying behaviours to maximise commercial outcomes. This role blends traditional category procurement with a strong emphasis on digital-first strategies, working with vendors and distributors to optimise content, pricing, and promotional activities across our digital procurement platform.
You will act as the subject matter expert for your product category, engaging cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, the Digital Experience team and Product Data Teams to position your category for commercial growth and relevance within the rapidly evolving IT market.
Digital & Commercial Strategy- Drive category performance through digital transactions, leveraging our platform technology.
- Promote your category to internal and external stakeholders using digital-first propositions.
- Support the vendor onboarding process to the platform.
- Collaborate with the Product Data team to increase platform visibility and client adoption of your category.
- Regularly liaise with Marketing and Vendor Marketing Co-Ordinator to create digital promotional campaigns and vendor spotlights.
- Actively manage vendor and distributor relationships, building credibility and ensuring strategic alignment with our digital goals.
- Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, and exclusive promotions tailored for platform sales.
- Drive supplier engagement with the platform and ensure they are aware of the wider digital offering.
- Champion rebate terms and commercial funding to drive profit margin.
- Ensure category product content, descriptions, imagery, and specifications are accurate, complete, and optimised for digital search and conversion.
- Work closely with the Product Data Team to ensure product listings are kept up-to-date.
- Ensure pricing competitiveness and availability of key SKUs through regular benchmarking and price file audits.
- Be the internal champion for your category: delivering training, updates, and insights to sales and digital experience teams.
- Advise on and configure end-user specific catalogues for large or repeat-buying customers.
- Analyse buying patterns and market data to identify market opportunities for re-engagement through the digital platform.
- Ensure that quotes are accurate, competitively priced, and aligned to customer expectations, with a strong emphasis on delivering rapid response times and high-quality service.
- Negotiate with suppliers to achieve the best possible pricing, availability, and terms.
- Stay informed on emerging technologies, competitor activity, and customer behaviour within your category.
- Attend vendor events, training sessions, and exhibitions to maintain expert knowledge and raise platform profile.
- Maintain a high standard of data quality, system accuracy, and response times.
- Support escalations in returns or delivery issues within your category.
- To provide admin support when required to cover team holidays for:
- Post order admin queries
- Back-order reports
- Alternative supplier reports
To join us as a Category Buyer, you will need at least 3 years previous experience in the IT and technology industry in a similar role and can demonstrate this through:
- Knowledge of the IT market and channel structure
- Holding existing supply chain relationships and can develop new supplier relationships
- Experience in negotiation of pricing and commercial terms of IT and technology products/services
- The ability to hold supplier meetings to discuss product category objectives and demonstrate our business digital capability
- Use of initiative to drive focus and development of your category
- The ability to analyse data to make strategic business decisions
- Understanding accreditation levels of appropriate vendors and seek ways to improve this
- Supporting sales representatives in the management of large project based deals
- Experience of specialising in a specific product set
- Holding strong commercial awareness
- Commercially Minded
- Organised & Detail-Oriented
- Resilient
- Accountable
- Confident Communicator
- Innovative
- Customer-Focused
- Collaborative
- Self-Driven
Join a digitally innovative and rapidly growing IT solutions company with a unique value proposition. City centre office including an onsite café, free access to gym and shower facilities. Supportive, collaborative culture with ongoing development opportunities. Comprehensive benefits package including pension scheme, holiday trading, life insurance, EAP, discounted tech, electric car salary sacrifice scheme and hybrid working.
IT Category Buyer in Birmingham employer: Probrand
Contact Detail:
Probrand Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Category Buyer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the IT industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential employers on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, make sure to highlight your knowledge of the IT market and your experience with digital procurement strategies. This will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you’re keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly and express your interest. Tailor your message to show how your skills can help them grow their product category.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in IT and digital procurement. This not only boosts your confidence but also gives you great talking points during interviews. Plus, it shows employers that you’re committed to your professional growth.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Category Buyer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of IT Category Buyer. Highlight your experience in digital procurement and vendor management, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with our digital-first strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the IT market and how your skills can help us drive category performance. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Digital Savvy: Since this role is all about blending traditional procurement with digital strategies, make sure to highlight any experience you have with digital platforms or tools. We want to see how you can leverage technology to optimise our product categories!
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 ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Probrand
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the IT market and your specific product category. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and emerging technologies. This will not only show your passion but also position you as a knowledgeable candidate who can contribute to the company's digital-first strategies.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully handled, especially in terms of pricing and commercial terms. Be ready to discuss how you built relationships with suppliers and how those relationships benefited your previous employers. This will demonstrate your ability to manage vendor relationships effectively.
✨Highlight Your Data Analysis Abilities
Since the role involves analysing buying patterns and market data, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to make strategic decisions in the past. Discuss any tools or methods you’ve used to analyse data and how those insights led to successful outcomes.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
The job requires working cross-functionally with various teams. Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with sales, marketing, or product teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you can be an internal champion for your category, ensuring everyone is aligned with the digital goals.