Category Coordinator

Kids Planet Day Nurseries; Lymm; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Health plan

Free meals

KP Academy training

Enhanced leave

Wellbeing rewards

Birthday day off

Pension & holidays

Job summary

Kids Planet is seeking a proactive Category Coordinator to support our procurement team across the nursery estate. You will help source products, maintain supplier and product databases, create catalogues and pricing, and analyse spend data to identify cost savings.

You will work closely with nurseries, assist with tender processes and contract documentation, monitor stock trends, and ensure procurement policies are followed.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement, buying, supply chain or category administration.
• Strong Excel skills including pivot tables and lookup functions.
• Excellent organisational and administrative abilities.
• Good numerical and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support Category Managers with sourcing and procurement projects.
• Maintain supplier and product databases.
• Create and update product catalogues and pricing.
• Analyse spend data and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Prepare supplier performance reports and KPIs.
• Liaise with nurseries regarding product queries and supply issues.
• Coordinate supplier meetings and maintain action trackers.
• Assist with tender processes and contract documentation.
• Monitor stock trends and demand across nursery locations.
• Work with Finance to resolve invoice or pricing discrepancies.
• Ensure procurement policies and compliance requirements are followed.
• Support onboarding of new suppliers and products.

Skills

Procurement experience

Excel

Organisational skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Multi-priority management

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Kids Planet is an independent, family run group of nurseries providing the highest standard of nursery care across the UK.

Location: Kids Planet Head Office, Lymm, Cheshire (or hybrid if offered)

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family‑run business, we do things with heart and we're passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet as a Category Coordinator!

Purpose of the role

To support the Procurement team in managing product and service categories across the Kids Planet nursery estate. The role helps ensure nurseries receive quality products at competitive prices while maintaining supplier relationships, contract compliance, and accurate procurement data.

Why Kids Planet?

• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT's Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running
• 80% Childcare Discount - T&Cs apply

What's in it for you?

• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.
• Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!
• Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.
• Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.
• Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.
• Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.
• Take the day off on your birthday, it's all about you!
• Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.

Key responsibilities

• Support Category Managers with sourcing and procurement projects.
• Maintain supplier and product databases.
• Create and update product catalogues and pricing.
• Analyse spend data and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Prepare supplier performance reports and KPIs.
• Liaise with nurseries regarding product queries and supply issues.
• Coordinate supplier meetings and maintain action trackers.
• Assist with tender processes and contract documentation.
• Monitor stock trends and demand across nursery locations.
• Work closely with Finance to resolve invoice or pricing discrepancies.
• Ensure procurement policies and compliance requirements are followed.
• Support the onboarding of new suppliers and products following acquisitions.

Skills and experience

• Experience in procurement, buying, supply chain or category administration.
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis).
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Good analytical and numerical ability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience using procurement or ERP systems is desirable.

Personal qualities

• Proactive and self‑motivated.
• Collaborative team player.
• Commercially aware.
• Customer‑focused.
• Adaptable and able to work in a growing business.
• Problem solver with a continuous improvement mindset.

Typical categories managed

• Food and catering supplies
• Educational resources and toys
• Furniture and nursery equipment
• Cleaning and hygiene products
• PPE and consumables
• Utilities and facilities services
• Maintenance and contractor services
• IT equipment and office supplies

Like the sound of joining our family?

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.

Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.