Category Analyst

ZipRecruiter; Belfast; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in Belfast is seeking a Category Analyst to join their procurement team. The ideal candidate will analyze inventory trends, forecast demand, and support supplier negotiations. Strong experience in procurement and proficiency with tools like Excel and ERP systems are essential. This role offers an opportunity to collaborate across teams and improve procurement strategies effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (pivot tables, lookups, modeling).
• 2+ years of experience in procurement, inventory analysis, or category management.

Responsibilities

• Analyze sales and inventory trends for accurate demand forecasts.
• Create and maintain purchase orders in ERP/CRM systems.
• Evaluate vendor performance and negotiate delivery schedules.
• Build reports and dashboards using Excel and Power BI.

Skills

Data analysis

Critical thinking

Proficient in Excel

ERP experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.)

Job description

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSalary: $28-$32 an hour

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and data-savvy Category Analyst to join our procurement team. In this role, you will analyze inventory trends, forecast demand, support supplier negotiations, and contribute to the sourcing strategy for raw material components. This individual will work cross-functionally with production, planning, and sales teams to ensure timely procurement aligned with business needs. Ideal candidates have strong critical thinking skills, ERP and Excel experience, and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Demand Planning & Inventory Management

• Analyze sales, inventory, and consumption trends to assist with creating accurate, data-driven demand forecasts.
• Make buy recommendations and ensure appropriate inventory levels to support production while avoiding overstock or stockouts.
• Monitor and optimize stock positions of raw materials; track usage patterns and adjust procurement strategy accordingly.

2. Procurement & Order Management

• Create and maintain purchase orders; flag and reconcile discrepancies and exceptions.
• Maintain accurate vendor and item data in ERP/CRM systems and ensure real-time updates.
• Track and manage all direct and indirect material orders through system documentation and dashboards.
• Maintain a procurement activity calendar and schedule supplier communications accordingly.

3. Supplier & Market Analysis

• Evaluate vendor performance and implement supplier development plans.
• Negotiate delivery schedules with suppliers to ensure timely delivery.
• Develop cost models and should cost analyses for key commodities and materials.
• Create and maintain commodity supply/demand forecasts and incorporate macroeconomic market intelligence into procurement strategies.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with production planning, operations, sales, and finance teams to align purchasing decisions with business goals.
• Support new product launches with accurate forecasting and supplier engagement.
• Coordinate with internal teams to proactively resolve any procurement-related disruptions.

5. Reporting, Tools & Process Improvement

• Build and maintain reports and dashboards using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Utilize ERP, CRM, and procurement software for visibility, tracking, and decision-making.
• Participate in or lead initiatives to automate and streamline procurement processes.
• Conduct research and support strategic initiatives related to sustainability, alternative materials, and market arbitrage opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, Finance, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel (pivot tables, lookups, modeling); Power BI experience .
• Experience using ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; capable of presenting analysis clearly to stakeholders.
• Strong critical thinking, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and adapting to changing business needs.

Attributes

• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Familiarity with commodity markets and sourcing practices.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional setting.
• Passion for leveraging data to drive supply chain performance and strategic outcomes.
• 2+ years of experience in procurement, inventory analysis, or category management (manufacturing experience ).