Category Management - Category Buyer
NATIONAL VETERINARY SERVICES LIMITED
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Category Buyer
Reports to: Category Manager
Position Band: D
Business unit: Purchasing
Prepared by: Malcolm Dickinson
Date: 16.04.2026
Main purpose of the role
Work in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets, including achieving annual cost‑price reductions through strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supplier development.
Key Responsibilities
C Delivering Category and Commercial Performance
Work in partnership with the Category team to deliver the category P&L, ensuring that sourcing decisions directly support margin, cost, and growth targets.
Translate product specifications, volume forecasts, and price requirements from the Category team into commercially viable sourcing strategies across domestic and international markets.
Drive year‑on‑year cost‑price reductions through proactive negotiation, supplier optimisation, and continuous cost‑improvement initiatives.
Provide regular performance reporting, analysing progress against KPIs and identifying corrective actions where targets are at risk.
Global Sourcing and Supplier Management
Source products from the most competitive global suppliers, including overseas manufacturers, ensuring best‑in‑market cost prices while meeting required quality, service and compliance standards. Work in-conjunction with Global Sourcing strategies with Patterson as appropriate.
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to secure favourable commercial terms, negotiate cost reductions, mitigate risk and identify opportunities for product differentiation and exclusivity.
Negotiate and manage all supplier agreements including contracts, SLA, NDAs in line with business processes and requirements
Develop new supplier pipelines—both UK and international—to support innovation, own‑brand development, and long‑term category growth.
Attend relevant trade shows and supplier visits to identify emerging products, new sourcing territories, and cost‑saving opportunities.
Importing, Logistics, and Stock Flow
Work with the appropriate business teams to manage end‑to‑end importing processes from any territory, ensuring compliance with customs, duty, and regulatory requirements.
Work closely with Material Planners to ensure accurate forecasting, timely ordering and effective stock flow, balancing availability with financial and working‑capital objectives.
With the planning team, monitor supplier lead times, production schedules, and shipping timelines, expediting orders where necessary to maintain optimum stock levels.
Market Insight
Maintain a good understanding of the veterinary and adjacent markets, including competitor activity, pricing trends, and emerging sourcing regions in order to make informed decisions.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Share insights, supplier intelligence, and sourcing opportunities across the business to support collaborative decision‑making and continuous improvement.
Additional Responsibilities
Support the Head of Product Management with ad hoc tasks that contribute to the effective running of the department.
Uphold strong internal communication and documentation standards to ensure transparency and alignment across teams.
Deputise for the Head of Product Management as required to ensure that the Category Team are represented as appropriate.
Personal attributes: Qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge and competencies required to fulfil the role
Essential
CIPS Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience (5+ years in a senior procurement role)
Strong influencing and negotiation skills
In depth knowledge and experience in direct/production procurement from different markets
Previous buying experience in a relevant role
Exceptional interpersonal skills
Excellent communicator (written & verbal)
Highly customer focussed
Capable of working in a team environment, collaborating with others to meet customers needs whilst achieving targets
Computer literate (Excel, Power Point, Word)
Excellent analytical skills
Commercially minded relationship builder
Highly motivated, results oriented individual
Ability to travel in UK and oversees – hold full UK Driving License