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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and grow a product category using digital strategies for maximum commercial success.
- Company: Join Probrand, a rapidly growing IT solutions company with a unique value proposition.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, gym access, life insurance, and discounts on tech products.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values innovation and offers ongoing development opportunities.
- Qualifications: 3 years in IT procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a knack for data analysis required.
- Other info: Work in a new city centre office with an onsite café and collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 ÂŁ per year.
Probrand Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Base pay range
Category Buyer – Birmingham City Centre (£28k-£30k pa)
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.
Vendor & Distribution Engagement
- 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.
Content & Catalogue Management
- 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 keep product listings up-to-date.
- Ensure pricing competitiveness and availability of key SKUs through regular benchmarking and price file audits.
Platform Advocacy & Sales Support
- 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.
Market Insight & Innovation
- 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.
Operational Excellence
- Maintain a high standard of data quality, system accuracy, and response times.
- Support escalations in returns or delivery issues within your category.
About You
- At least 3 years of experience in the IT and technology industry in a similar category buying role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Analytical skills 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 specialising in a specific product set.
- Strong commercial awareness.
Key Behaviours
- Commercially minded
- Organised & detail‑oriented
- Resilient
- Accountable
- Confident communicator
- Innovative
- Customer‑focused
- Collaborative
- Self‑driven
Why Join Probrand?
- 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.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Marketing and Sales
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Category Buyer employer: Probrand
Contact Detail:
Probrand Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in digital procurement and IT market dynamics. Understanding how digital-first strategies are reshaping category buying will give you an edge in discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the IT and technology sectors, especially those involved in procurement. Building relationships can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with vendor management and negotiation tactics. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven commercial outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on emerging technologies and competitor activities within your product category. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying relevant in a fast-paced industry.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in the IT and technology industry. Focus on your achievements in category procurement, digital strategies, and vendor management to align with the requirements of the Category Buyer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the IT market and your understanding of digital-first strategies. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed product categories and built supplier relationships in previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Demonstrate your ability to analyse data and make strategic decisions by including examples of how you've used market insights to drive category performance. This will show Probrand that you can contribute to their commercial growth.
Highlight Key Behaviours: Probrand values certain behaviours like being commercially minded and customer-focused. Make sure to weave these traits into your application, providing examples of how you've exhibited these qualities in your past work experiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at Probrand
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Make sure you have a deep understanding of the product category you'll be managing. Familiarise yourself with current trends, key players, and emerging technologies in the IT market. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully conducted, especially in the IT sector. Be ready to discuss how you achieved favourable terms and built strong supplier relationships, as this is crucial for the Category Buyer position.
✨Highlight Your Digital Strategy Experience
Since the role emphasises digital-first strategies, be prepared to discuss your experience with digital procurement platforms. Share specific examples of how you've leveraged technology to drive category performance and enhance vendor engagement.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to talk about how you've used data analysis to make strategic decisions in previous roles. Discuss any tools or methodologies you've employed to identify market opportunities and improve category performance.
