Category Buyer

Chemist Warehouse; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a motivated Category Buyer for their Vitamins department. Responsibilities include managing product range, pricing, and strategies to drive sales. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in business or marketing and experience in category management. Strong negotiation and communication skills, along with proficiency in Excel, are essential. The role offers career advancement in a collaborative work environment with employee discounts and EAP access.

Benefits

Opportunities for career advancement

Employee discounts on products

Access to EAP services

Corporate discounts on healthcare premiums

Subsidised onsite canteen

Qualifications

• Experience in category management or buying, preferably in the retail or FMCG sector.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales and margin targets.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, customer needs, and competitive activity.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure the best terms and conditions.
• Manage product lifecycle, including new supplier set up, product introductions and discontinuations.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to plan and execute promotional activities.
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure optimal stock availability.
• Analyse sales data and provide regular reports on category performance.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Proficiency in Excel

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field

Job description

Sigma Healthcare is powering pharmacy! We have the largest pharmacy network in Australia with trusted brands including Chemist Warehouse, Amcal, Discount Drug Stores and Ultra Beauty! We are powered by our dedicated people and our leading Australian full line pharmacy wholesale and distribution business that delivers medicines to any pharmacy anywhere in Australia. With Chemist Warehouse now operating in four countries outside Australia, we continue to expand our reach.

About the opportunity

Reporting into the National Category Manager, we are seeking to recruit a motivated and experienced Category Buyer to lead our Vitamins department. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the product range, pricing, and promotional strategies to drive sales and profitability within the vitamins category.

The key responsibilities for the role will include:

• Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales and margin targets.
• Conduct market analysis to identify trends, customer needs, and competitive activity.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure the best terms and conditions.
• Manage product lifecycle, including new supplier set up, product introductions and discontinuations.
• Collaborate with marketing and merchandising teams to plan and execute promotional activities.
• Monitor inventory levels and ensure optimal stock availability.
• Analyse sales data and provide regular reports on category performance.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate will possess the following key skills and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience in category management or buying, preferably in the retail or FMCG sector.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data analysis, with experience working in MS Office specifically Excel.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Please note – due to the end-of-year celebrations, we will not be contacting shortlisted applicants until the New Year, with the intent to commence interviewing w/c 5th January 2026.

What’s on offer?

• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Employee discounts on a wide range of products.
• Access to EAP services.
• Corporate discounts on Healthcare Premiums and Novated Leasing.
• Subsidised onsite canteen.

If you are a proactive and results-driven professional with a passion for the health and wellness industry, we would love to hear from you!