Commercial Services Group
Category Buyer
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Location: Hybrid/Shrewsbury, Shropshire or Aylesford, Kent
Salary/package: £28,000 to £35,000 per annum DOE
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
About the Role
Commercial Services Group (CSG) is seeking a proactive individual with a solutions-focused approach to manage product ranges and supplier relationships across allocated categories.
Who We Are
Global Education Supplies (GES) is part of the Children & Education portfolio at CSG, comprising six complementary brands serving the global education sector. With a customer base spanning over 90 countries, GES is focused on international growth, new product development, marketing investment, and operational excellence.
Why This Role Matters
The Category Buyer will shape commercially viable product ranges and ensure strong supplier performance across cost, quality, and service. This role involves delivering profitable supplier agreements and market-leading product propositions.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Managing supplier negotiations for competitive cost prices, rebates, marketing contributions, and favourable terms.
- Setting sell prices aligned with market requirements and category margin targets.
- Supporting bidding activity with quotes, samples, and product data.
- Defining and managing supplier relationships using agreed categorization approaches.
- Planning and leading supplier review meetings to monitor service levels and performance.
- Managing supplier onboarding and ensuring accurate system data, as well as product onboarding and discontinuation including system setup and product information.
- Sourcing new products aligned with market trends and business needs.
- Conducting competitor analysis and reporting on pricing and market trends.
- Securing promotional pricing for marketing campaigns.
- Identifying and managing risks linked to sourcing strategies.
- Providing monthly KPI reporting on spend, savings, revenue, margin, and category performance.
- Managing annual diary activities including supplier reviews, trade shows, and seasonal planning.
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What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in a sourcing or procurement environment.
- CIPS qualification is desirable but not essential.
- Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure savings and long-term supplier commitment.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and understand product life cycles.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Highly organized, detail-focused, and confident working with multiple stakeholders.
- Experience tracking and measuring performance against targets.
- Proficient IT skills, particularly the use of Microsoft Office packages.
What You’ll Get in Return
- Salary of £35,000 per annum.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service.
- Birthday Day Off.
- One concessionary day off during the Christmas Period.
- Life assurance cover (4x salary).
- Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution.
- Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan, and cycle to work scheme.
- Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme.
- Tailored development support with real opportunities to progress.
- Access to Learning & Development opportunities via our CSG Academy.
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Why CSG?
CSG is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement, and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact.
Inclusion & Accessibility
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. As a member of Inclusive Employers with Silver Accreditation, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility, and belonging for all colleagues. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.
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