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- Tasks: Join us as a Category Buyer, focusing on direct materials procurement and strategy development.
- Company: Victrex is a leader in innovative engineering solutions, committed to sustainability and transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, 29 days holiday, and a generous pension contribution.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving meaningful change in a fast-paced, inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or procurement, strong negotiation skills, and an analytical mindset are essential.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds; adjustments available for applicants.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as a specialist in direct materials procurement. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies for direct spend to maximise value, quality, and performance, collaborating closely across supply chain, operations, quality and technical teams. You will play an important part in supporting our innovation pipeline and operational performance, while aligning to our sustainability objectives.
Key Responsibilities in Direct Procurement and Category Management
- Category Strategy: Develop and implement a category strategy for a portfolio of direct materials including packaging that deliver cost, quality, risk management and sustainability objectives.
- Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate and manage suppliers to ensure best value and mitigation of supply risks.
- Negotiation: Negotiate commercial terms, agreements, and contracts to achieve optimal outcomes for the business.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with stakeholders in Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Technical and Sustainability to support new product innovation and ongoing manufacturing excellence.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base to deliver year-on-year value and innovation.
- Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends and supply risks within direct categories to inform strategies and decisions.
- Compliance: Ensure all procurement activity is in line with company policies and relevant ethical, environmental, and legal standards.
Requirements for the Category Buyer – Directs Opportunity
- Experience in buying, or a similar purchasing role, ideally in a manufacturing, chemical, or engineering environment.
- Experience in direct materials including packaging procurement is advantageous.
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
- Proven ability to build effective supplier and stakeholder relationships.
- Analytical mindset with a focus on value, risk and sustainability.
- Excellent communication and collaborative working skills.
- Commercial or business qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Knowledge of digital procurement tools, ERP, or data analysis platforms is an advantage.
About You: Our Ideal Category Buyer – Directs
- You are proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced and digitally enabled organisation.
- You thrive on human-centred leadership, valuing curiosity, adaptability and collaboration.
- You recognise the role of sustainability and supply chain resilience in transforming procurement.
- You are committed to fostering a culture of integrity, inclusion and continual improvement.
- Having experience in Packaging procurement is desirable.
What We Offer
- A dynamic team environment with opportunities to drive meaningful change.
- Support for professional development and learning.
- Commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability.
- Inclusive and diverse workplace culture.
Our Offer
We offer a competitive salary along with an attractive benefits package including private healthcare, 29 days holiday, and a generous company pension contribution. As part of Victrex, we foster a culture that values and supports personal and professional growth by empowering our employees to drive innovation and transformation.
Join Us
If you are an innovative professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment with a passion for delivering high-performance solutions, we invite you to apply and become a vital part of Victrex's journey. Help us discover complex design & engineering solutions across 6 key markets to serve our customers.
Diversity and Inclusion
Victrex is proud to be a Disability Confident employer and values applications from all sections of the community. We place strong emphasis on enabling an accessible and welcoming recruitment process for everyone. Should you require any reasonable adjustments or support during your application, please contact us in confidence at enablerecruitment@victrex.com. Victrex is committed to building an inclusive culture and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE.
Category Buyer - Directs employer: Victrex Manufacturing Limited
Contact Detail:
Victrex Manufacturing Limited Recruiting Team
enablerecruitment@victrex.com
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer - Directs
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in direct materials procurement, especially in packaging. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in a fast-paced industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the procurement field, particularly those who have experience in manufacturing or engineering environments. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful negotiations you've conducted in the past. Highlighting your negotiation skills with concrete outcomes will showcase your ability to deliver value to the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your understanding of sustainability in procurement by researching how companies are integrating sustainable practices into their supply chains. Being able to speak on this topic will align with the company's values and objectives.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer - Directs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially in direct materials and packaging. Use specific examples that demonstrate your negotiation skills and supplier management experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company’s sustainability objectives. Mention how your background aligns with their needs and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their innovation pipeline.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your analytical mindset and ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. Include any experience with digital procurement tools or data analysis platforms, as these are advantageous for the role.
Showcase Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Provide examples of how you have driven continuous improvement in previous roles. This could include cost-saving measures, quality enhancements, or successful collaborations that led to better procurement outcomes.
How to prepare for a job interview at Victrex Manufacturing Limited
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of a Category Buyer. Familiarise yourself with direct materials procurement, supplier management, and negotiation strategies. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully conducted. Highlight your approach to achieving optimal outcomes and how you managed supplier relationships. This is crucial as strong negotiation skills are a key requirement for this position.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Be ready to discuss instances where you've collaborated with different teams, such as supply chain or operations. Emphasising your ability to work across functions will show that you can support new product innovation and manufacturing excellence.
✨Highlight Your Analytical Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you use data and market intelligence to inform your procurement strategies. Show that you have an analytical mindset focused on value, risk, and sustainability, which is essential for driving continuous improvement in procurement.
