Category Buyer

Royal London Group; Alderley Edge; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Pension scheme (employer matching)

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Royal London Group is seeking a Category Buyer to join the Group Procurement team in Alderley Park. You will support sourcing and supplier management across Royal London, contributing to value delivery and supplier governance in a 12-month fixed-term role.

The role offers a hybrid working pattern (50% home/office) and opportunities to shape category strategies within a unified function, with exposure to risk, finance and legal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Good commercial acumen and ability to challenge supplier proposals.
• Strong planning and organisational skills; manage multiple priorities at pace.
• Clear communication and relationship-building with stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail; produce clear reports.
• Understanding of governance, risk controls and regulated environment.
• Procurement or financial services experience is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end sourcing activity including tendering, supplier research, contract reviews and price negotiations.
• Lead on low to medium spend and risk procurement projects with guidance.
• Produce market insight to support category strategies and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Build relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and SME across Risk, Finance, Legal and other areas.
• Complete supplier due diligence, onboarding and governance activity per procurement policies.
• Contribute to procurement transformation and new systems/ways of working.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Planning & organisation

Communication

Analytical skills

Governance & controls

Procurement awareness

Job description

Contract type: 12-month Fixed Term
Location: Alderley Park
Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based
Closing date: 25th September 2026

We have an exciting opportunity for a Category Buyer to join our Group Procurement team. You will support sourcing and supplier management activity across Royal London, helping us secure strong commercial value, manage third-party risk and deliver a high-quality service to stakeholders.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone with commercial curiosity and strong transferable skills who wants to build a career in procurement. You will join a newly unified function at an important point in its transformation, with the chance to contribute to new ways of working, develop your category knowledge and take on increasing responsibility.

About the role

• Support end-to-end sourcing activity, including tendering, supplier research, contract reviews and price negotiations
• Take the lead on low to medium spend and risk procurement projects, initially with guidance and support
• Produce market insight to support category strategies and identify opportunities to reduce costs and increase value
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and subject matter experts across Risk, Finance, Legal and other areas of the business
• Complete supplier due diligence, onboarding and governance activity in line with procurement policies and risk controls
• Contribute to procurement transformation and continuous improvement, including the introduction of new systems and ways of working.

About you

• Good commercial acumen, with the confidence to challenge supplier proposals, support negotiations and identify opportunities for savings
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively at pace
• Clear communication and relationship-building skills, with a collaborative and proactive approach
• Good analytical skills, attention to detail and the ability to interpret information and produce clear reports
• An understanding of business processes, risk, controls and the importance of governance in a regulated environment
• A genuine interest in procurement and professional development; previous procurement or financial services experience is desirable but not essential.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as

• 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme
• private medical insurance

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected - whatever their background.