Category Buyer

Category Buyer 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 Commercial Services Group (CSG) are looking for a proactive individual with a solutions focused approach to play a key role in managing product ranges and supplier relationships across your allocated categories. This role would suit an experienced sourcing or procurement professional who enjoys commercial negotiation, supplier management and shaping market‑leading product ranges. Who we are Global Education Supplies (GES) is part of the Children & Education portfolio at Commercial Services Group (CSG) , comprising six complementary brands that serve the global education sector. These include KCS Education, Landscapes for Learning, Maudesport, Gresswell, Timstar and Technology Supplies. With a customer base spanning more than 90 countries, GES is entering a transformational phase focused on international growth, new product development, marketing investment and operational excellence. Why this role matters The Category Buyer will play a key role in shaping commercially viable product ranges and ensuring strong supplier performance across cost, quality and service. This is a role with responsibility for delivering profitable supplier agreements and market‑leading product propositions. What you’ll be doing Managing supplier negotiations to secure competitive cost prices, rebates, marketing contributions and favourable terms. Setting sell prices aligned to market requirements and category margin targets. Supporting bidding activity with quotes, samples and product data. Defining and managing supplier relationships using agreed categorisation 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 to 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. 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 organised, detail‑focused and confident working with multiple stakeholders. Experience tracking and measuring performance against targets. Proficient IT skills particularly 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. 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. As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve. 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. Department Global Education Supplies Locations Aylesford , Shrewsbury Remote status Hybrid Yearly salary £28,000 - £35,000 Employment type Full-time Portfolio Children & Education Brand GES DBS Vetting Required? Basic About Commercial Services Group Commercial Services Group is one of the leading providers of procurement and support services to education and public sector customers globally. Serving over 15,000 customers, CSG is committed to providing an excellent customer and user experience underpinned by social value and a committed and empowered workforce. Founded in 1928 Co-workers c1800 Turnover Over £800M