At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategic category management and deliver value through innovative sourcing strategies.
- Company: Join Victrex, a global leader with a collaborative culture and meaningful work.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive rewards, flexible hybrid working, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make an impact in procurement while building strong partnerships across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement and strong analytical skills are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development in a diverse and inclusive environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Senior Category Buyer to play a key role in delivering value through strategic category management. You will support and drive the execution of category strategies across indirect spend, shaping long‑term sourcing decisions that align with Victrex’s strategic objectives. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with cross‑functional stakeholders, influence at all levels, and manage complex supplier relationships in a global, regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver short, medium and long‑term category strategies aligned to business objectives
- Identify and implement cost reduction and productivity initiatives to deliver annual savings targets
- Conduct spend analysis and market intelligence to inform sourcing strategies and improve long‑term cost position
- Lead supplier performance management, including KPIs, SLAs and corrective actions
- Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers, leading bid evaluations and selection activities
- Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to deliver sourcing projects and category plans
- Develop and manage supplier risk mitigation plans, including contractual and supply risk
- Support governance processes by ensuring appropriate commercial and contractual controls are in place
- Provide ad‑hoc support to approved purchasers, ensuring compliance with procurement processes
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in procurement or supply chain roles within a multinational or complex, capital‑intensive environment
- Strong understanding of category management principles and cross‑functional working
- Demonstrated success in delivering cost savings and value‑led sourcing programmes
- Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills
- Experience of supplier relationship management and performance improvement
- Strong analytical capability, with confidence presenting insights and recommendations
- Experience working with international contracts and managing variation control
- Comfortable using data and tools (including Power BI) to support decision‑making
Qualifications
- CIPS / MCIPS qualified or working towards (desirable)
What We Offer
At Victrex, you’ll find a collaborative culture, meaningful work and opportunities to develop your career in a global organisation. We offer competitive reward, flexible hybrid working, and a strong focus on wellbeing, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Interested?
If you’re motivated by strategic procurement, value creation and building strong partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.
NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE. At present, we are not accepting any candidates via a recruitment agency or third party. Victrex values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community. For further assistance with your application, please contact enablerecruitment@victrex.com.
Senior Category Buyer employer: Victrex Manufacturing Limited
Contact Detail:
Victrex Manufacturing Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the procurement world and let them know you're on the hunt for a Senior Category Buyer role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your category management principles and supplier relationship strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to cost savings and stakeholder management to show you're the right fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for openings at Victrex and tailor your approach to highlight how your experience matches their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to their strategic objectives.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Category Buyer role. Highlight your procurement experience, especially in strategic category management, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about procurement and how your background can help us achieve our strategic objectives. Be specific about your achievements!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, don’t forget to mention your analytical capabilities. Share examples of how you've used data to inform sourcing strategies or improve cost positions in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Victrex Manufacturing Limited
✨Know Your Category Management Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on category management principles before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've developed and delivered category strategies in the past, and think of specific examples where you've successfully implemented cost reduction initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your analytical capabilities. Bring along examples of spend analysis or market intelligence you've conducted that informed sourcing strategies. Being able to present insights clearly will impress your interviewers.
✨Highlight Stakeholder Management Experience
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, be prepared to share stories about how you've built strong partnerships in previous roles. Discuss your influencing and negotiation skills, and how they've led to successful outcomes.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Supplier Relationship Management
Understand the key aspects of supplier performance management, including KPIs and SLAs. Be ready to talk about how you've managed supplier relationships and any corrective actions you've taken to improve performance in the past.