Category Buying Manager

Dnata; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

dnata catering & Retail Ireland, based in Dublin, is seeking a Category and Buying Manager to lead procurement strategy for products and services across Dublin, Cork, and Shannon operations. You will onboard suppliers, set category plans, and drive end-to-end sourcing to improve cost and quality.

You will partner with commercial, culinary, and warehouse teams to deliver impactful category plans, manage supplier performance, and ensure procurement contracts meet business needs while supporting

Qualifications

• Evidence of strong buying experience in category management, minimum 5 years in procurement.
• Ability to lead and train teams, communicate clearly, and work across functions.

Responsibilities

• Create, manage, and execute a product/category strategy to grow sales and profit.
• Lead weekly trading reviews with cross-functional teams and address gaps or opportunities.
• Collaborate with commercial, materials, culinary, and warehouse teams to ensure on-time delivery within budget.
• Develop and implement go-to-market strategies and new product launches while maximizing profitability.
• Manage contract creation and execution, master data setup, and procurement documentation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Pressure handling

Tools

ERP system

Strategic Sourcing Solutions

Source to Pay processes

Job description

Job Description

About us

Based in Dublin Airport Logistics Park, dnata catering & Retail Ireland provides catering and inflight services to several international airlines operating from Dublin, Cork & Shannon Airport. In September 2020, we expanded operations with a state‑of‑the art facility that quadrupled our catering capacity to enable the delivery of 40,000 quality inflight meals a day. Covering an area of 6,300m, our new facility is equipped with the latest technologies.

Whats the purpose of role

The Category and Buying Manager will be responsible for the planning, direction and coordination of procurement activities in alignment with commercial and culinary teams to manage dnata caterings supply of products and services. This includes (i) supplier on-boarding and qualification, (ii) setting category strategies and plans, (iii) managing the end to end strategic sourcing process to find cost effective deals and suppliers, (iv) setting up procurement contracts for goods, services and works, (v) management of supplier performance and (vi) functional governance and oversight in accordance to company policy, procedures, metrics and team performance. Ensures that goods, materials and services are procured in accordance with specified requirements as to quantity and quality, on time and at the best price. dnata in Ireland is a multi-site operation and your position will provide support for all our operations.

What youll be doing

Responsible for creating, managing, and executing a product strategy that delivers sales and profit growth. Manage the category performance, delivering on KPI’s set out in the budgets developing tactical corrective action plans to address and recover any shortfalls. Hold ongoing weekly trading review with the wider team. Highlight any potential current or future issues / opportunities. Work closely with the commercial, materials, culinary and warehouse teams to ensure the product ranges are on trend and delivered within the correct timeframe, available and deliver to budget. Work on NDP initiatives, new product launches and defining go to market strategies at the same time maximising profitability of existing products. Develop and execute compelling category plans within all categories and sub‑categories. Develop Strong working relationships with our supplier base. Manage the Buying administration with contract creation and execution. Preparation of the product information for range presentations. Ensure all the product details are captured and communicated to the commercial, supply chain and culinary team for master data set up. Assist in the delivery of all documentation in line with the critical path. Support the development of new business opportunities supporting the Sales Team in the development of new products and services and providing key SME knowledge for Sales Tenders and presentations.

What youll have

Evidence of previous Category Buying- a minimum of 5 years Must have the legal right to work in Ireland Experience of working within the category, product of brand function Strong leadership and management skills- Good interpersonal, communication, presentational and teamwork Able to work under pressure plan, organise and delegate Sound knowledge of ERP system, Strategic Sourcing Solutions, and Source to Pay processes Attention to detail and accuracy High level analytical and numerical skills Enthusiastic, self-motived, proactive and persuasive Budget and financial reporting to support business on yearly budgets Manage KPIS to include Spend under management, spend under active contracts, suppliers on contract, value of savings delivered, % on rebates achieved, Supplier returns and wastage, OTIF

Skills

category buying TPBN1_IJ