CATEGORY SOURCING BUYER

STOKE ON TRENT

FULL TIME PERMANENT

COMBINATION OF HOME AND OFFICE WORKING

UP TO £43K DOE AND EXCELLENT BENEFITS

THE ROLE

• Working in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets
• Translate product specifications, volume forecasts, and price requirements into commercially viable sourcing strategies across domestic and international markets
• Drive year-on-year cost-price reductions through proactive negotiation, supplier optimisation, and continuous cost-improvement initiatives
• Provide regular performance reporting, analysing progress against KPIs and identifying corrective actions where targets are at risk
• Source products from the most competitive global suppliers, including overseas manufacturers
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure favourable commercial terms, negotiate cost reductions, mitigate risk and identify new opportunities
• Negotiate and manage all supplier agreements including contracts, SLA, NDAs
• Develop new supplier pipelines—both UK and international—to support innovation, own-brand development, and long-term category growth
• Attend relevant trade shows and supplier visits (some international travel)
• Manage end-to-end importing processes from any territory, ensuring compliance with customs, duty, and regulatory requirements
• Monitor supplier lead times, production schedules, and shipping timelines, expediting orders where necessary to maintain optimum stock levels

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• CIPS Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience in a senior procurement role
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• In depth knowledge and experience in direct/production procurement from international markets
• Knowledge of Import procedures
• Excellent communicator (written & verbal)
• Computer literate (Excel, Power Point, Word)
• Excellent analytical skills
• Commercially minded relationship builder
• Ability to travel in UK and oversees – holding full UK Driving License

HOW TO APPLY

For more information on the Category Sourcing Buyer role, please contact Rob Hulse at Intro Personnel or e-mail your current CV

Due to the expected high number of applicants for the Category Sourcing Buyer role, we regret that it may not be possible to respond to all unsuccessful candidates.

For a full list of Intro Personnel’s current vacancies, please visit the Intro Personnel website and follow us on Facebook and Linked In.