Category Buyer

Worcester, Worcestershire
FirstPort Property Services
Job Role: Category Buyer Location: Hybrid, 3 days in a local office – New Milton/Worcester/Luton Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum As the Category Buyer Asset Compliance, you will contribute to our vision of being recognised as the market leading provider of services to the UK property sector by: Developing, improving, and implementing a category strategy; sourcing plan; contract management; supplier performance management; and supplier relationship management for a range of allocated spend categories within an overall category management structure. Supporting delivery of value for money and innovation in accordance with Procurement strategy and business plans. Delivering pragmatic and high quality solutions to meet the needs of the organisation, delivering value and having commercial influence over Mainstay s third party expenditure.This role reports to the Category Manager Asset Compliance. Main Responsibilities Supports Category Manager, acting as a Procurement & Supply Chain advisor and subject matter expert on each category, within Mainstay and externally as appropriate. Develops relationships with stakeholders to understand the needs of the business and maintains appropriate stakeholder maps. Supports Category Manager in developing and implementing agreed category strategies/plans, mobilising the successful framework suppliers, and demobilising non-framework suppliers in agreement with Operations in line with the business needs and objectives. Develops and documents implementation plans that include comprehensive business requirements analysis and quantified value for money, cost reduction/improvement targets. Working with Legal, Technical, Health & Safety, and Operations key stakeholders and the Category Manager, develops and implements rigorous contracts for all critical, strategic and preferred suppliers within the category, incorporating service level and continuous improvement targets including SLAs/KPIs. Conducts supplier segmentation and develops, maintains preferred supplier listing with an approved product/service list for their category and effectively communicates this to the business. Manages supplier contracts and conducts regular performance management with preferred suppliers. Proactively identifies monitors and resolves strategic / critical and preferred supplier issues for category. Regularly engages stakeholders and suppliers to understand their issues or concerns; feedback to Category Managers and Procurement Operations; and seeks to improve procurement practice across Mainstay. Supports internal stakeholders by providing subject matter expertise, guidance and information on categories Develops and maintains stakeholder and communication plans on behalf of the category teams. Conducts procurement activity in accordance with company procedures, Health & Safety, compliance, regulatory, stated ethics and CSR policies, etc.Skills and Experience Essential: Has experience of category management and can develop category strategy, manage sourcing events, negotiations, contract management, deployment and supplier relationship management. Has experience of managing/supporting communications across multiple business functions/stakeholders. Has experience working within a changing and fast paced environment with demanding business objectives.Desirable: Member/Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). Studying towards MCIPS and/or Graduate. 3-5 years procurement / procurement operations / category experience. Has supply market knowledge and experience of spend category. Demonstrates track record in supplier selection, negotiation and contract management delivering value for money, cost and/or revenue targets. Demonstrates track record of developing and maintaining stakeholder and supplier relationships. Has experience of organising/managing data and producing performance analysis.Who are we? Mainstay provide expertise in professional services to the property industry through our highly skilled teams. We re committed to delivering the highest levels of service, to support our customers and clients with market-leading professional services and strive to be the UK s leading professional services provider. We pride ourselves on our people and their expert knowledge and experience, combined with our use of technology and data, to allow us to lead the way in providing the UK s property sector with the services that they require. Together we aim to deliver consistently and provide customers and clients with confidence and peace of mind. Why choose us? By joining us, you will work with industry professionals who are committed to providing the highest levels of customer service, as well as ensuring we put our people first. The benefits of working with us can include free parking, free fruit, discounted gym membership, a true work-life balance and the opportunity of growth and progression. In addition to the core benefits, we also offer a range of exclusive discounts on extra benefits to help you and your family make the most of your money, safeguard your future and look after your health. We re committed to promoting diversity at Mainstay and recruit on merit. We are an inclusive employer that prides itself in being so diverse. What s next? To start your application for this role we will ask you to upload your CV and answer a few questions. Our recruiters will work with our managers to review your CV. If unsuccessful you will be notified. If you meet the criteria for the role, we ll be in touch to arrange a short telephone interview and our shortlist of candidates will be invited to attend interviews with the hiring manager