Category Buyer

Next; Leicester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Category Buyer to join their Commercial Services team in Enderby. You will play a key role in shaping category strategies and managing a significant purchasing spend. Candidates should have strong procurement experience and the ability to influence within the business. This role offers a competitive salary, benefits including a car and bonus, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

25% off most NEXT products

Company performance based bonus

Sharesave scheme

On-site Nursery

Financial Wellbeing support

Discounted gym memberships

Qualifications

• Solid procurement experience and understanding of the buying lifecycle.
• Proven supplier management and negotiation skills.
• Highly organised with strong planning skills and a problem-solving mindset.

Responsibilities

• Build strong supplier networks and identify future partners to support category growth.
• Lead RFPs, evaluate supplier performance, and negotiate deals using eSourcing.
• Manage supplier relationships and run operational and strategic reviews.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier Management

Commercial Awareness

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

Google Workspace

eSourcing tools

Job description

Join to apply for the Category Buyer role at Next

Join to apply for the Category Buyer role at Next

Be at the heart of our buying strategy.

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially savvy

Job Description

Job Title: Category Buyer

Location: Enderby, Leicestershire

Salary: Competitive plus car & bonus

Be at the heart of our buying strategy.

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially savvy Category Buyer to join our fast-paced Commercial Services team at Head Office in Enderby. In this high-profile role, you’ll be a key player in shaping and delivering category strategies across Gift Cards (own-brand and third-party), B2B sales, and Retail & Travel consumables.

You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across the business – from Finance and Marketing to Retail and Product – ensuring that we (and our Total Platform partners) get the best service, quality and price. Managing a £12m purchasing spend and contributing to over £100m in category sales, you’ll have a real impact on our bottom line.

We’re after someone who’s confident, proactive and able to influence at all levels. If you’re passionate about procurement, love solving problems, and thrive on driving value – we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supplier sourcing: Build strong supplier networks and identify future partners to support category growth.
• Tendering & Negotiation: Lead RFPs, evaluate supplier performance, and negotiate best-in-class deals using eSourcing tools.
• Contract & SLA Management: Work closely with Legal to draft robust contracts and service agreements, ensuring KPI alignment and supplier accountability.
• Supplier performance: Manage supplier relationships and run operational and strategic reviews, using scorecards to monitor performance.
• Stakeholder engagement: Be the link between suppliers and internal teams, ensuring service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Spend & Market Analysis: Stay ahead of industry trends, analyse spend and competitor activity, and feed insight back into the business.
• Financial collaboration: Work closely with Finance to manage budgets, support invoicing, and streamline procurement processes.
  
  

What we’re looking for:

Essential:

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Solid procurement experience and understanding of the buying lifecycle
• Proven supplier management and negotiation skills
• Strong commercial and financial awareness
• Confident communicator and relationship-builder
• Highly organised with strong planning skills and a problem-solving mindset
• Proficient with Google Workspace (or Microsoft Office equivalents)
• A self-starter who’s not afraid to get stuck in and drive results.
  
  

Desirable:

• Experience using eSourcing platforms
• CIPS qualified or currently working towards
• Experience with gift cards (either from a retail or processing background)
  
  

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!

About The Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more
  
  

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [e-mail] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Marketing and Sales

• Industries

  Retail

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