WWe are KAEFER UK & Ireland Count on us. Location: Jarrow Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent The Opportunity KAEFER UK & Ireland are looking for a Category Buyer to join the team on a full-time, permanent basis at our Jarrow Head Office. As a Category Buyer, you will work within the Supply Chain team to support the Company in achieving its mission: to be the most reliable and efficient provider of technical industrial services. The primary focus of the role is to procure goods and services quickly and accurately to ensure operations are maintained across the business with a focus on QCD. Key Responsibilities Review and analyse spend data to identify opportunities for cost savings. Support the development of robust category plans that deliver the objectives of the function and wider business, taking into consideration, current supply chain, business and project requirements, budget, and savings targets. Work with the Supply Chain Operations Team Lead to monitor non-contract spend, providing challenge to the business and ensuring non-contract spend is minimal. Accurately track and report savings in line with group policy. Engage with key stakeholders across the business to develop relationships, understand requirements and project pipeline. Be a champion for the function, providing guidance and support to site teams for all aspects of supply chain. Attend monthly PRM’s and project kick off meetings to understand the requirement and develop robust supply chains that support the delivery of the project. Support the Buyers with PO processing and quote requests during busy times / holiday periods. Knowledge, Skills & Experience Essential: Excellent communication skills to deal with all levels of internal and external stakeholders. To be computer literate. Excellent negotiating and influencing skills. Data driven and able to analyse large sets of data to support the creation of detailed category plans. Ability to adapt to change. Organisation and prioritisation. Be proactive and able to work using your own initiative. Supply chain process and best practice. Market conditions / MACRO environment. Previous experience in similar Supply Chain/Procurement role. Stakeholder management. Desirable: Risk identification and management. Contract management. Have completed or be willing to work towards CIPS or similar procurement & supply chain qualification. Experience working with MRP/ERP systems. Why KAEFER UK & Ireland? Our mission is clear: to be the most reliable and efficient provider of technical industrial services. KAEFER UK & Ireland provides a large and growing range of industries with asset integrity services including access solutions, insulation, surface protection, HVAC fabrication, EC&I and more. We focus on improving energy efficiency and extending asset life cycles. We have twelve operating centres across the UK and Ireland, employing approximately 3,500 highly skilled and experienced people. Our people are our lifeforce and every day they deliver excellence to our customers. KAEFER UK & Ireland is part of the KAEFER Group, a global €2.3 billion business with its headquarters in Bremen, Germany. KAEFER works on more than 5,500 job-sites internationally, with around 33,000 employees. With unrivalled experience and expertise, our teams provide trusted partnerships and tailored support to execute even the most challenging and complex projects for clients. We take pride in being part of a global company, with common values and many diverse and individual voices. You can ‘count on us’ to make positive contributions in the communities where we live and work. Our values: - Reliability - Ambition - Team Spirit - Respect