Category Buyer

Oldcastle Inc.; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company is seeking a Category Buyer to optimize the supply chain for Network Access Products. The role involves strategic sourcing, managing supplier performance, and driving cost-saving initiatives. Ideal candidates will have strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a degree in business or Supply Chain Management. This position offers a competitive salary and benefits package, fostering a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Company pension contribution

Healthcare options

Competitive holidays

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in focused category management and strategic sourcing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of procurement regulations and compliance standards.
• Preferably with an Engineering background.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Identify critical and strategic suppliers, conduct evaluations, and manage relationships.
• Lead negotiations with suppliers to secure favorable terms.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives through negotiation and process optimization.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or Supply Chain Management

Tools

Procurement software

Job description

Overview

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Country: United Kingdom
City: Stoke; Lurgan
Req ID: 515361
Job Type: Full Time Permanent
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Seniority Level: Associate

About Cubis Systems

Cubis Systems is a global leader in the design, engineering and manufacture of network access products for the infrastructure, utility and construction markets. Headquartered in Northern Ireland, Cubis is part of the €27 billion CRH Group and operates from multiple sites across the UK and Ireland, exporting to over 30 countries worldwide. Our market-leading brands, Cubis Systems, NAL, and FILOform, supply smart, safe, and sustainable product solutions to a range of construction sectors. Through innovation, we enable construction partners to optimise efficiency and safety through pioneering products designed for simplicity, speed, and reliability. We stand together to reinvent the way our world is built through collaboration on breakthrough ideas that achieve tomorrow’s solutions today.

Business Overview

Working in the Procurement Department for a high-growth, global business with over £200m+ in revenue, operating across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, France, and Germany. We specialise in manufacturing solutions that simplify complex infrastructure projects, providing innovative and sustainable products to international clients. Our market-leading brands—Cubis Systems, NAL, and FILOform—offer smart, safe, and sustainable solutions across various construction sectors. Through innovation, we empower our partners to enhance efficiency and safety with pioneering products designed for simplicity, speed, and reliability. Together, we are transforming the way our world is built, collaborating on breakthrough ideas that deliver tomorrow's solutions today.

Position: Category Buyer

Reports to: Procurement Manager

Role Overview: The Category Buyer will play a crucial role in optimizing the NAP (Network Access Products) supply chain by strategically sourcing and managing suppliers’ performance within specific categories. The role requires a strong understanding of procurement processes, market trends, cross-functional teamwork and negotiation skills. Preferably with an Engineering background. The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Category Strategy Development: Develop and implement category strategies aligned with overall IPE organizational goals, ensuring cost optimisation, quality, delivery, supply chain rationalisation and supplier diversity objectives are met.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Identify critical and strategic suppliers, map out tier N suppliers, conduct supplier evaluations and re-evaluations, establish and maintain strong business relationships. Continuously assess supplier performance and manage relationships to ensure optimal delivery and service levels.
• Contract Management: Lead negotiations with suppliers of own category to secure favourable terms and conditions. Draft, review and manage contracts, ensuring compliance with legal and organisation standards.
• Cost Management: Drive cost-saving, avoidance and VAVE initiatives by partnership with cross functional teams, through effective negotiation, process optimization, value engineering and supplier innovation. Monitor and report on PPV cost variances and implement corrective actions as needed. Effectively manage supplier payment terms, cashflow, ensure ethical procurement practices while aligning with finance objectives.
• Collaboration: Work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including finance, business systems, quality, engineering and operations, to understand business requirements and ensure alignment with procurement strategies.
• Risk Management and Sustainability: Identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks, ensure continuity of supply and minimizing disruptions to the business. Develop contingency plans for critical supply categories.
• Advanced Sourcing: Stay informed about market trends, industry best practices and regulatory changes related to assigned categories, by attending key trade shows, webinars and relevant industry events. Utilise CRH Procurement resources to optimise benefit for NAP bottom-line, look for continuous improvement by adopting latest technologies and processes.
• Leadership Quality: Prioritise own work and provide category leadership to procurement internal and external teams, promote procurement value at all times.
• All other duties as deemed necessary by the NAP Procurement Manager

Associated Responsibilities

• Collaborate and manage internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Lead and attend category project meetings
• Report relevant category procurement KPIs on monthly basis

Key Performance Indicators

• Annual procurement budget target of P&L savings- minimum 3%
• Contracts coverage for SRM, based on aligned annual target
• Strategic Supply Chain mapping on critical supplies and tail-end spend management
• Effective supplier performance management on OTIF and Quality Matrix target

Experience and Training

• Proven experience in focused category management and strategic sourcing
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient with procurement software and tools
• Knowledge of procurement regulations and compliance standards
• Preferably with an Engineering background
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Advanced degrees or professional certifications (e.g., CIPS) are a plus
• Ensures accountability
• Action oriented
• Business insight
• Manages complexity
• Manages conflict
• Courage

Note: This list is not exhaustive and may be updated based on business needs. Flexibility and adaptability are key aspects of this role.

What We Offer

• Company pension contribution
• A range of healthcare options
• Competitive holidays, including Christmas shutdown
• Employee Committees for Health & Wellbeing and Inclusion & Diversity
• Employee referral programme
• Enhanced Family friendly policies
• Career development opportunities across IPE and the wider CRH Group

Cubis Systems is an equal opportunity employer, which values differences in our people. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, and we provide equality through our career development opportunities regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, nationality, age, and disability.

About CRH

CRH (NYSE: CRH, LSE: CRH) is the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world. Employing c.78,500 people at c.3,390 operating locations in 28 countries, CRH has market leadership positions in both North America and Europe. As the essential partner for transportation and critical utility infrastructure projects, complex non-residential construction and outdoor living solutions, CRH’s unique offering of materials, products and value-added services helps to deliver a more resilient and sustainable built environment. The company is ranked among sector leaders by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating agencies. A Fortune 500 company, CRH’s shares are listed on the NYSE and LSE.