As the leading foodservice provider across the island of Ireland, Sysco's success is driven by a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to deliver every day.
We don't just deliver food and drink to our customers.
We deliver new thinking, technology and talent to our industry.
We deliver opportunities - to ourselves and to our colleagues ensuring that we can all thrive in work and beyond.
We are now looking for new talent to join us as we continue to grow, innovate and deliver.
MERCHANDISING CATEGORY SPECIALIST
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Merchandising Category Specialist.
This role will assist with the procurement process, day-to-day vendor management, range reviews, reporting, terms negotiation and vendor supply/service level.
The role requires a candidate who will be:
* A Team Player
* Self-motivated and results-driven
* Analytical
If you are ready for a challenge, we want to hear from you.
Key Accountabilities: Overview
The role requires a candidate who is comfortable working in a busy environment, part of a team managing high-profile categories. This role involves cross-functional collaboration with trading, sales, QA, supply chain, culinary, finance, and marketing.
The candidate will have to foster a collaborative relationship with vendors and develop an in-depth understanding of the requirements of each vendor while proactively managing that relationship to ensure it reaches its full potential.
This role will also involve participation in key Sysco Europe projects and the expansion of the Sysco own brand portfolio.
Responsibilities
* To provide day-to-day support in the management of supplier communication, including query resolution for stakeholders within the business in relation to vendor/items etc.
* To assist with range reviews, including tasting, benchmarking, assessing fit within range and commercial proposition.
* To understand market dynamics, competitive environment, and customer insights.
* To take part in the introduction of new products to the business, including liaising with the culinary team and presentations to sales.
* To act as a day-to-day liaison with Supply Chain to maximise stock availability.
* To support on the negotiation of contracts/agreements with vendors, including tenders, vendor compliance, new vendor set up.
* To provide support to the Sales Team on customer/external tenders as appropriate.
* To liaise with other departments as required.
* To review and monitor framework risks.
* To lead & support the development of mitigation plans to address these risks where possible.
* To support in the identification and selection of vendors using Sysco criteria.
* To work closely with Category management team on sourcing, category strategy, supplier negotiations, supplier selection, supplier approval and supplier onboarding.
* To ensure that inbound service levels are on or above target.
* To attend and present at Sales training sessions & meetings as required.
* To participate at, and attend trade shows.
* To ensure that your product and price file is continuously and accurately maintained.
* To act as point of contact for DSMs and ASMs.
* To act as escalation point for Demand Planners.
* To monitor and maintain our database including TAS, COIs, etc. to ensure that all records are fully up to date & accurate and compliant with for audit traceability.
* To work with vendors to ensure vendor compliance, product availability, and service level.
* To analyse market trends and maintain awareness of industry changes to make informed purchasing decisions.
* To collaborate with internal teams to determine procurement needs and develop procurement strategies.
* To resolve supplier issues and discrepancies in a timely manner.
The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, excellent problem-solving skills, self-motivation, ability to think strategically, and adapt quickly to changes.
You must have flexibility to travel domestically between Sysco depots, for vendor meetings, and customer visits.
European travel will also be required.
Requirements
* Previous experience as a buyer or in a similar procurement role with negotiation skills and ability to build and maintain supplier relationships.
* Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.
* Solid understanding of procurement processes, including sourcing, purchasing, and contract management.
* Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
SYSO IRELAND CULTURE
Customer Focus: We deeply understand our customers' needs, continuously looking at ways to deliver real value.
Building Relationships: We foster strong, effective relationships across teams, always working together.
We embrace change and support each other through it.
Clear Communication: We communicate clearly and effectively, ensuring our message resonates.
A Passion for Food: We source and deliver food and drink that inspires excellence and creativity in kitchens for the most memorable dining experiences.
The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are neither definitive nor restrictive and may change in detail from time-to-time to meet the changing needs of the business.
Sysco is an equal opportunity employer.
#IND2 Skills: Merchandising Supply Chain Buyer