Category Buyer

About The Role

Are you a commercially minded professional with a passion for procurement and building strong supplier relationships? We are looking for a Category Buyer to join our team and deliver high-quality, value-driven procurement outcomes that help us provide safe, efficient and cost-effective services for our customers. Working closely with the Category Manager, you will deliver strategic sourcing and contract management activity across a range of categories to ensure that goods and services are aligned to business needs and deliver value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver procurement projects and sourcing activities across a range of spend categories.
• Conduct market research and analyse commercial and financial data to support decision making.
• Lead tendering, supplier negotiations and contract management activities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers, stakeholders and colleagues across the business.
• Monitor supplier performance and support the effective management of contract and supply chain risks.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with organisational policies, procedures and relevant legislation.
• Support and develop procurement colleagues within your category team and across procurement

Why should I join LiveWest?

This is an exciting opportunity to build your procurement and commercial career within a supportive team environment. You'll further develop your strategic sourcing, supplier management and analytical skills while gaining exposure to a wide range of procurement projects. The role offers excellent opportunities to broaden your commercial knowledge and contribute to delivering value for customers and the wider business.

This is a full time role working 37 hours per week .

Hybrid Working is available for this role working 2-3 days in the office dependent on business need. You will be based from our Tewkesbury, Wolverhampton, Exeter or Norwich office.

For further information about this role, and LiveWest, please view our candidate information pack.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Category Buyer , you will have the essential skills and experience for a level 1 role (please see candidate information pack) and the following role specific skills and experience:

Essential Skills

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage multiple activities effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and support commercial decisions.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Professional and detail-focused approach with the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.

Essential Experience

• Experience delivering procurement, purchasing or commercial activities.
• Experience working with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Experience analysing information and data to support decision making.
• Experience managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Knowledge

• Good understanding of procurement legislation, processes and principles.
• Understanding of supplier relationship and contract management.
• Knowledge of procurement governance and compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with procurement system, ERP, CRM, MRP or similar business systems.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSEs and A Levels, or equivalent qualifications.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications

• Experience in a similar procurement or commercial role.
• Experience sourcing, tendering or supplier management activities.
• Experience using procurement or purchasing systems.
• Understanding of strategic sourcing methodologies.
• Working towards Membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS).
• Project management and negotiation experience.

Please note, we are unable to provide CoS for this role; therefore, applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of this role without requiring a CoS.

About The Company

Our Reward and Benefits

• Working Style:  Hybrid working with 2 - 3 days in the office to support your work/life balance.
• Generous Annual Leave:  Start with 26 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with length of service - and the option to purchase up to 5 extra days (pro rated for part time roles).
• Pension Contributions:  Enjoy up to 9% employer contributions with our Defined Contribution scheme.
• Health Benefits and Perks:  Access to a health care cash plan (worth up to £1,100 annually), virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, and retail discounts including access to a Blue Light Card.
• Learning and Development:  Invest in your future with ongoing personal and professional growth opportunities.
• Family Support:  Policies designed to help you balance work and family life, including a new child payment.
• Wellbeing Matters:  Prioritise your health with mental health support, enhanced sick pay, wellness campaigns, and free flu jabs.
• Smarter Travel:  Save with our Cycle to Work and Car Benefit schemes.
• Giving Back:  Up to four paid volunteering days a year to support our communities.

At LiveWest, we are united by a shared mission: to create a home for everyone. Each of us takes pride in playing our part in achieving this goal.

Our values guide everything we do - from how we work together to how we deliver exceptional services to our customers. Collaboration is at the heart of LiveWest, and we believe that we achieve more when we deliver together.

As one of the largest employers in the South West, our team of 1,800 talented colleagues provides a wide range of services to our 80,000 customers. We are passionate about nurturing local talent and creating opportunities for people within the communities we serve.

We are committed to supporting our colleagues, giving them the autonomy and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Together, we are building brighter futures for everyone.

At LiveWest, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that our differences drive innovation, creativity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment where all colleagues can thrive. As a proud member of Inclusive Employers, a Disability Confident Employer, and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are dedicated to supporting all our colleagues and ensuring that our workplace is welcoming and accessible to all.

We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team. LiveWest is dedicated to equal opportunity and actively works to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity at all levels.

Join us in our mission to create vibrant and inclusive communities. Make a difference with LiveWest, where every voice is heard, and every contribution is valued.

You can read more about Inclusion at LiveWest by visiting our website.