Senior Category Buyer

A proven defence organisation are seeking an experienced Senior Category Buyer to join a high-performing procurement team.

• Role: Senior Category Buyer
• Duration: 10 month contract
• Pay: Up to £30 p/hr (Inside IR35)
• Location: Yeovil (Hybrid)

You'll play a key role in managing complex sourcing activities, developing supplier relationships, and driving procurement excellence across critical categories.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead high-value tender activities using SAP Ariba and approved sourcing processes.
• Manage Long-Term Pricing Agreement (LTPA) tenders from initiation through to award.
• Negotiate, establish, and revalidate long-term supplier agreements.
• Partner with stakeholders and Geographic Procurement teams to support sourcing decisions.
• Identify, assess, and onboard new suppliers.
• Conduct supplier evaluations and visits to strengthen supply chain capability.
• Drive supplier selection processes through SAP Ariba.
• Deliver both strategic and tactical sourcing projects across multiple categories.
• Support procurement savings initiatives, cost optimisation, and supplier performance improvements.

You'll work within a collaborative procurement environment, have the opportunity to influence supplier strategy, lead high-value tenders, negotiate commercial agreements, and contribute to significant business outcomes.

Key Requirements:

• Experience in Aerospace, Defence or similar environments
• Strong procurement, commercial negotiation and supplier management capability
• Experience running competitive tenders and sourcing exercises
• SAP experience, ideally including SAP Ariba
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong team-working and relationship-building abilities

If you're an experienced Buyer or Procurement professional looking for your next challenge within a fast-paced and rewarding defence environment, apply now!