Trainee Category Buyer (Procurement)

Location: Townfoot, Longtown, Carlisle, United Kingdom. Flexible/hybrid working is available following successful completion of probation.

Company

A successful and growing business offering products for customers across the civils, drainage, and construction sectors.

What you will do

• Support the Category Manager with day-to-day product category management.
• Maintain supplier, product, and purchasing master data.
• Assist with purchasing forecasts, stock planning, range reviews, and product performance analysis.
• Support supplier communications, relationship management, compliance, quality, and product documentation.
• Monitor pricing, sales, and margin performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Produce reports and support promotional activity, product launches, and category development projects.

Requirements

• Strong organisational, administrative, numerical, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Proactive attitude, enthusiasm for learning, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Ability to support procurement, supplier management, forecasting, and commercial analysis activities.

Nice to have

• Experience in administration, customer service, sales, supply chain, or purchasing.
• Knowledge of the civils, drainage, or construction sector.
• Experience with SAP, Phocas, or similar business systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Structured training and mentoring from an experienced Category Manager.
• Career progression opportunities within Supply Chain and Commercial teams.
• Flexible/hybrid working following successful completion of probation.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Staff discounts and Perkbox benefits.