Senior Category Buyer
A strategic procurement role with real impact - driving value, innovation and supplier excellence in a global advanced materials business.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Category Buyer to play a key role in delivering value through strategic category management. You will support and drive the execution of category strategies across indirect spend, shaping long‑term sourcing decisions that align with Victrex’s strategic objectives.
This role offers the opportunity to work closely with cross‑functional stakeholders, influence at all levels, and manage complex supplier relationships in a global, regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and deliver short, medium and long‑term category strategies aligned to business objectives
Identify and implement cost reduction and productivity initiatives to deliver annual savings targets
Conduct spend analysis and market intelligence to inform sourcing strategies and improve long‑term cost position
Lead supplier performance management, including KPIs, SLAs and corrective actions
Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers, leading bid evaluations and selection activities
Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to deliver sourcing projects and category plans
Develop and manage supplier risk mitigation plans, including contractual and supply risk
Support governance processes by ensuring appropriate commercial and contractual controls are in place
Provide ad‑hoc support to approved purchasers, ensuring compliance with procurement processes
What You’ll Bring
Proven experience in procurement or supply chain roles within a multinational or complex, capital‑intensive environment
Strong understanding of category management principles and cross‑functional working
Demonstrated success in delivering cost savings and value‑led sourcing programmes
Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills
Experience of supplier relationship management and performance improvement
Strong analytical capability, with confidence presenting insights and recommendations
Experience working with international contracts and managing variation control
Comfortable using data and tools (including Power BI) to support decision‑making
Qualifications
CIPS / MCIPS qualified or working towards (desirable)
What We Offer
At Victrex, you’ll find a collaborative culture, meaningful work and opportunities to develop your career in a global organisation. We offer competitive reward, flexible hybrid working, and a strong focus on wellbeing, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Interested?
If you’re motivated by strategic procurement, value creation and building strong partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.
NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE.
At present, we are not accepting any candidates via a recruitment agency or third party.
About Victrex
Victrex is an innovative world leader in high-performance PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) and PAEK (Poly Aryl Ether Ketone) polymer solutions focusing on the strategic markets of automotive, aerospace, energy and industrial, electronics and medical. Every day, millions of people use products and applications containing our materials – from smartphones, aeroplanes and cars to energy operations and medical devices.
With over 40 years‘ experience, we are developing world leading solutions with PEEK and PAEK-based polymers and selected semi-finished and finished parts which enable environmental and societal benefit for our customers and our markets and drive value for our shareholders
Vision and culture
At Victrex, we have a clear purpose: to deliver transformational and sustainable solutions that address global material challenges.
Our core values of passion, innovation, and performance are at the heart of everything we do. We are a company that thrives on human-centred leadership, valuing curiosity, adaptability, and collaboration in a fast-paced, digitally enabled world. We believe in empowering individuals, rather than seeing barriers to progress.
We are looking for individuals who are comfortable working in an environment that values digital and AI-driven solutions, who see technology as an enabler rather than a challenge. At Victrex, we foster a culture of continuous learning, agility, and adaptability, where employees are encouraged to embrace new ways of working, leverage data-driven insights, and drive meaningful change.
As we continue to evolve, we need people who are not just contributors but change accelerators … individuals who champion innovation, and drive transformation with a growth mindset. Whether through digitalisation, process improvement, or human-centred leadership, our employees play a crucial role in shaping the future of our business.
Our leadership approach is built on empowerment, inclusion, and collaboration. We value people who lead with empathy and authenticity, fostering a workplace where diverse perspectives and ideas can thrive. We work hard to ensure that our teams are engaged, motivated, and equipped to navigate an ever-changing landscape.
Sustainability is core to our strategy. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while supporting society through our sustainable products and making a positive impact on our local communities.
We are proud to be recognised as a ‘Disability Confident’ employer and to be voted as one of the best places to work by ‘The Sunday Times’ not just once, but for two years in succession! A testament to our people-first culture, where innovation and adaptability thrive in a digital-first, AI-driven workplace; we are proud to have once again retained this very prestigious award!
As well as being recognised as one of the ‘Most Admired Companies in the Chemical Sector’ by The London Stock Exchange: Recognition of our commitment to excellence, transformation, and data-driven insights, empowering every team member to embrace change and drive success.
We’re also delighted to be acknowledged as a top performer in the FTSE Women Leaders Review for Women in Leadership and Women on Boards! Victrex has been ranked joint 4th among UK-listed FTSE 250 companies, standing alongside much larger peers.
Our aim is to provide the support of accessibility and community within Victrex for everyone. So, if you need any help, advice or just want a confidential chat regarding any Diversity, Equity or Inclusion matters even before you apply to Victrex, then here is what you need to know:
The enabling support that Victrex prides itself on giving, starts from when anyone applies or wants to apply to join our team.
We are always here to help provide any ‘reasonable adjustments’ you may need during your application process. So please contact us to discuss your specific requirements in more depth.
We even have a dedicated email that anyone can use to reach out for help, advice, and a confidential chat......whatever you need to know, and to help ensure an equitable solution, that’s right for you, right from the start!
That email is: enablerecruitment@victrex.com
Victrex values diversity and encourages applications from all
sections of the community.

- Department
- Specific Vacancies
- Role
- Procurement
- Locations
- Hillhouse HQ, Thornton Cleveleys. FY5 4QA
- Yearly salary
- £46,200 - £55,000