Category Buyer

THE BODY SHOP; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beauty retailer in Brighton is seeking an experienced Buyer to join their Sourcing Team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. In this role, you will manage supplier relationships, drive sourcing strategy, and oversee project implementations while ensuring procurement protocols are followed. Ideal candidates will have strong skills in sourcing, supplier evaluation, and Excel. Benefits include a competitive salary, pension plan, and staff discounts.

Benefits

6% non-contributory pension plan

23 days holiday

50% staff discount

Access to product sample sales

LOVE money for personal development

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a sourcing/manufacturing/technical buying environment.
• Experience of supplier performance evaluation and relationship management.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage sourcing activities for core product portfolio and new projects.
• Control spend creatively to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Lead supplier development efforts and manage negotiations and contracting.

Skills

Sourcing/Manufacturing Experience

Supplier Relationship Management

Project Implementation Skills

Microsoft Excel Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Job description

Overview

The Body Shop has been here since 1976 and we're not going anywhere. It's an exciting time to join us as we are recruiting for some fantastic opportunities in our gorgeous new Head Office in Brighton.

We're looking for fellow pioneers of ethical beauty who are keen to drive our business in the UK and around the world. If that sounds like you, we'd love you to join us as we embark on our next chapter.

The Body Shop is committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. We're fighting for what we believe in now more than ever. No holding back. Breaking the mould has always come naturally to us, and we need someone who's not afraid to mix things up.

Your role in a nutshell

We are recruiting an experienced Buyer to work in our Sourcing Team based at our global HQ in Brighton- On a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

You will support The Body Shop Sourcing Strategy and delivery of the business objectives through effective management of supplier relationships driving improving supplier performance, commercial negotiations to ensure The Body Shop has the optimal cost base and the relevant supplier portfolio to fuel our future growth.

More about the role

You will be responsible for the Sourcing activities to manage our core product portfolio as well as new project implementation including:

• Strategy & Category management
• Define & implement supplier strategy for the Skincare and Bath Body portfolio
• Commercially control spend within your specific remit, working creatively and in a SMART way to reduce both overall costs whilst increasing efficiency
• Identifying and delivering cost saving and value creation opportunities through negotiations, resourcing, tendering activity.
• Manages cost forecasts, share & control assumptions for budget construction, maintain data up to date for financial trends & Budget, report on KPI.
• Supplier relationships management
• Identify and evaluate suppliers; select, approve and review suppliers' performance; lead supplier development efforts on all aspects of the value chain: costs, agility of supply, innovation, sustainability.
• Manage sourcing negotiations and contracting: from RFQ/RFP to delivery of the product
• Working closely with suppliers to bring creative and innovative solutions back to our teams
• Corporate representative for expanding number of incumbent and new suppliers.
• Ensures procurement and ethical protocols are documented and followed.

What we look for

• Previous experience in a sourcing/manufacturing/technical buying environment with proven project implementation skills within a cross functional organisation
• Experience of supplier performance evaluation, supplier selection & supplier relationship management.
• Experience of sourcing processes, data management & contract management
• Excellent interpersonal skills including strong cultural awareness with the ability to develop and maintain strong effective relationships
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, tables, etc) essential
• Knowledge of Health & Beauty industry highly desirable

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, here are just a few of the rewards that you can look forward to if you join us: a 6% non-contributory pension plan, 23 days holiday, 50% staff discount and access to product sample sales, access to Perks at Work, our online shopping channel with exclusive deals & discounts, as well as LOVE money to spend on your wellbeing and personal development.