Overview

Catergory Buyer

Location: Runcorn, Liverpool, UK Headquarters. 

Contract: Full-time, Permanent (Hybrid)

Join Swissport and help shape the future of our Procurement function.

We’re looking for a proactive and commercially minded Category Buyer to support our UK&I Procurement team. This role offers the opportunity to manage a diverse portfolio of indirect spend categories, while also supporting direct categories where needed. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, enjoy building strong supplier relationships, and are motivated by delivering value, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

About the role

As a Category Buyer, you’ll play a key role in sourcing, supplier management, and cost/value optimisation across the organisation. Working closely with internal stakeholders, you’ll help ensure we secure high‑quality goods and services at competitive terms, while driving efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Our Procurement team manages a significant external spend portfolio, making this role an important contributor to Swissport’s operational and commercial success.

About us

Swissport is a global leader in sustainable, responsible aviation services, committed to safety, operational excellence, and delivering exceptional experiences. With a team of 61,000 colleagues, we support the smooth running of global aviation — serving 247 million passengers, handling 5 million tons of air freight, and welcoming 6.2 million lounge customers every year. Operating at around 300 airports across 45 countries

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities for assigned categories, including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, and contract negotiations.

• Manage supplier relationships and monitor performance to ensure service levels, quality, and compliance are consistently met.

• Analyse market trends, supplier performance, and spend data to identify opportunities for savings, efficiency, and risk reduction.

• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to understand business needs and align category strategies with organisational goals.

• Track and report on category performance, supplier KPIs, and cost/value delivery.

• Support ad hoc procurement projects, including direct categories, as required.

• Ensure all procurement activity adheres to company policies, procedures, and ethical standards.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified (essential). A related field such as Business, Supply Chain, or Procurement is desirable but not essential.

• CIPS qualification preferred.

Experience and Skills

• 3–5 years’ experience in procurement or category management, ideally with exposure to indirect categories and some involvement in direct categories.

• Strong negotiation and supplier management capabilities, with a proven ability to deliver value.

• Experience managing multiple procurement categories or services is desirable.

• Excellent analytical, organisational, and project management skills.

• Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management abilities.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and familiar with procurement/ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Zycus, or similar.

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking

• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making

• Influencing and negotiation skills

• Analytical mindset and data‑driven approach

• Effective stakeholder engagement

• Adaptability and resilience

• Strong project management and organisational skills

• High attention to detail

• Ethical, compliant, and professional approach

• Continuous improvement mindset

• Collaborative team player

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to influence significant spend across a complex, multinational organisation.

• Exposure to strategic procurement activity with clear scope to drive value and efficiency.

• Professional development through structured training, CIPS support, and career progression pathways.

• Collaborative environment working with senior stakeholders across UK&I operations.

• Competitive compensation and benefits aligned with UK standards.

• Strong organisational commitment to sustainability, recognised with an EcoVadis Platinum rating.

• Join a stable, globally recognised aviation services provider with long‑term growth opportunities.

Joining Swissport means becoming part of a diverse, international team committed to innovation, efficiency, and delivering trusted service every day.