Category Buyer

As a Category Buyer within Group Procurement, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering category sourcing strategies that drive competitive advantage across the business. Working in close partnership with bakeries, suppliers and key internal stakeholders, you'll optimise cost, manage risk and unlock supplier-led innovation while ensuring assured supply and high quality standards. With strong market insight and a collaborative approach, you'll influence strategic decisions, develop robust category plans and help position the business as a partner of choice to both customers and suppliers,

• Work closely with bakeries and group teams to understand needs and support day-to-day buying decisions.
• Lead supplier relationships across your category, covering cost, quality, service, innovation and risk.
• Develop category strategies based on a strong understanding of spend, supply markets and business priorities.
• Manage tenders, negotiations and contract agreements to secure the best overall terms.
• Support the delivery of KPIs, reporting and governance, keeping information accurate and up to date.
• Forecast costs and support budget planning with reliable, clear data.
• Monitor supply chain risk and develop action plans to protect availability and value.
• Represent Procurement at site and cross-functional meetings, supporting projects and sharing insight.
• Support the wider Procurement team to embed best practice and deliver consistent terms across the group.
  
  We believe success comes from collaboration and diverse perspectives. At Samworth Brothers, we value team players who are driven to achieve great results together. You'll bring the following skills and experience:
• You will have experience in procurement, buying or category management within private label, multi site, chilled food manufacturing.
• With strong negotiation skills and comfort working with data.
• You will have experience of working with supply markets and understanding cost drivers
• You will be confident working with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Being calm and having a practical approach when handling issues or tight deadlines.
• You will be an organised person and able to demonstrate both this and close attention to detail from previous roles.
  
  Samworth Brothers is a fourth-generation family business, trusted by many of the UK's best-known retailers to produce high-quality own-label products. Alongside these, we're proud to craft and deliver our own iconic brands, including Ginsters, Soreen, Higgidy, Dickinson & Morris, Urban Eat, West Cornwall Pasty Company, and Walker & Son.
With over 10,000 talented colleagues working across our modern, well-invested food manufacturing sites nationwide, we're committed to excellence in everything we do-from the food we make to the careers we build. At Samworth Brothers, you're more than just an employee, you are part of our strong family culture. Our collaborative approach and strong team spirit help us support one another and achieve great things together. As part of a well-established group, we offer stability, opportunity, and a place where you can truly thrive. Ready to make a difference? Join us and be part of something special!

We're building a workplace where different ways of thinking are not just welcomed but supported, with clear communication, flexible processes, and a commitment to continuous improvement so everyone can thrive. Company pension scheme Access to health and well-being support, such as healthcare, optical and dental discounts Employee discount scheme Experience annual pay reviews Profit related pay Opportunity for extended leave Free on-site parking Unlock your potential through training and growth opportunities