Materials and Services Category Buyer

MWH Treatment Limited; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major utilities company is seeking a Category Buyer based in Hattersley. This role involves managing spend categories, negotiating commercial terms, and maintaining supplier performance. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and a customer-centric approach to procurement, with opportunities for hybrid working arrangements available.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills with the ability to build effective supplier relationships.
• Self-starter with confidence to represent Procurement independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies and execute plans that align with business objectives.
• Lead procurement activities and negotiate commercial terms.
• Manage supplier relationships and monitor performance.

Skills

Strong communication and influencing skills

Customer-centric approach

Self-starter

Commercially astute

Skilled in networking

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Education

CIPS qualified or working towards certification

Qualification in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related field

Job description

Overview

Due to our increased workload, we are strengthening our Central Procurement team to maintain high standards of governance, efficiency, and strategic alignment. To support this, we are recruiting a Category Buyer, based at our Hattersley office, with hybrid working available.

The Category Buyer is responsible for managing defined spend categories across multiple projects at national level. This includes developing category strategies, leading sourcing initiatives, negotiating commercial terms, managing supplier performance, and driving value delivery. The role plays a critical part in cost control, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency.

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Central Procurement Manager, this role will be instrumental in:

• Category Strategy Development: Creating and executing category plans that align with business objectives and deliver measurable value.
• Strategic Sourcing: Leading procurement activities across projects to ensure best value, innovation, and cost efficiencies.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Building strong partnerships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Governance and Consistency: Ensuring procurement practices align with company and client policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Management
• Collaborate with regional leads, project managers, engineers, and site teams to understand procurement needs.
• Develop and maintain category strategies based on market intelligence, business needs, and stakeholder input.
• Lead sourcing activities including market analysis, tendering (ITTs/RFQs), and supplier evaluations.
• Negotiate commercial terms, service levels (including KPIs), and contractual conditions.
• Monitor category performance and identify opportunities for cost savings, innovation, and risk reduction.
• Oversee supplier payment processes, identify instances of framework leakage, and formulate a mitigation plan.
• Ensure compliance with MWHT frameworks and procurement governance.
• Manage committed project costs to mitigate financial risk and minimise business exposure.
• Supplier Performance & Risk Management
• Establish and manage supplier relationships within assigned categories.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Health & Safety and ESG obligations.
• Act as the primary escalation point for category-related supply chain issues.
• Managing a supplier engagement calendar to ensure timely delivery of improvements.
• Process Management & Improvement
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, contracts, and regulations.
• Implement best practices and drive continuous process improvement.
• Promote sustainable procurement aligned with business values and ESG objectives.
• Maintain and optimise the P2P system, ensuring clean and accurate data.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Performance, Reporting & Representation
• Prepare category-level reports on procurement performance and value delivery.
• Represent the department and organisation professionally in all interactions.
• Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Share best practices, innovation and drive continuous improvement.
• Undertake additional duties, training, or working hours as reasonably required, consistent with the level of responsibility of this role.
• Proactively manage your own continuous professional development by engaging in external networking, conferences, associations, and training to stay current with industry trends and innovations.

Qualifications & Skills

Essential

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across functions, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Customer-centric approach to procurement delivery.
• Self-starter with the confidence to represent the Procurement function independently.
• Commercially astute with a solid understanding of category management, cost drivers and risk.
• Skilled in networking and exerting positive business influence.
• Committed to ethical procurement practices in line with the CIPS Ethical Policy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a proven track record of effective use.
• Demonstrates and champions the company's core values and behaviours.

Desirable

• CIPS qualified or actively working towards certification.
• Qualification in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Procurement, or a related field.
• Developing knowledge of construction materials, logistics, and relevant regulatory standards.
• Familiarity with ISO standards, ESG compliance, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Experience in regulated industries such as utilities, construction, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, or food.

Location and Working Arrangements

Based at Hattersley office with hybrid working available.