Category Buyer

Do you have a passion for consumer products, do you want to see the results of your work in hundreds of stores? Do you make razor-sharp purchasing deals and are you the one who knows how to find opportunities in the market? Then read on.

In this exciting role, you will negotiate, place, and oversee purchase orders with our suppliers.

As such, you become an indispensable link in the procurement of non-food products in various categories. There is never a dull moment because we have categories like multimedia, gadgets, hobby, home decorations, household, personal care, pet items, and more. Together with the other Category Buyers you are indispensable by, among other things, testing the commercial feasibility of products and you work along with Sales, Quality Management, Packaging Design, our team in China and the suppliers.

You will accomplish this by:

• Execute price requests plus negotiations and make price calculations for sales quotations.

• Trend watching, market research and searching on (international) fairs.

• Initiate and realize product innovations (and thus respond to changing needs in the market).

• On a tactical and strategic level, balances various factors to achieve development and implementation of strategic and operational product strategies in the short and long term.

• Point of contact for questions from colleagues about assortments, prices and other product information.

• Selecting and subsequently evaluating suppliers.

• Sets preconditions and makes agreements with the parties involved and / or colleagues about the services and products to be delivered in connection with: production, certification, quality, delivery, deadlines, etc.

What you bring with you

• 5+ years of relevant experience as a Category Buyer, Product Manager, or Purchaser within the Retail industry.

• Experience with and knowledge of category management and product development.

• You are already familiar with the Chinese (business) culture.

• The purchasing process holds no secrets for you.

• You are known for your sharpness, analytical ability, accuracy and boundless energy.

• You have a driving license B in your pocket and no objection to traveling abroad (several times a year).

What you can expect from us 

At Karsten International you will join a supportive, ambitious team where we work hard, stay sharp, and enjoy what we do. We are growing fast, so there’s plenty of room to share ideas, take ownership, and really make an impact. We communicate openly, help each other out, and keep things direct but respectful. 

What we offer 

• Plenty of space for personal growth, ownership and continuous improvement 

• Excellent pension scheme 

• Travel allowance or OV card, 13th month & 8% holiday pay 

• Daily fresh lunch, fruit, and great coffee 

• Bootcamp, yoga, football team 

• Option to lease a bike 

• OpenUp for mental well-being + massage at the office 

• Discounts on great products & fun company outings 

• Easily accessible office in Amsterdam 

Who we are? 

Karsten International develops a wide range of products for daily use, from the latest gadgets to sustainable beauty products. You name it, we make it. In addition to working hard and delivering quality, enjoyment and collegiality are our top priorities. The team consists of driven product developers, sales experts, logistics talents, online marketing specialists and graphic designers. Thanks to a broad international network and more than ten years of experience, we are winning the hearts of consumers all over the world with our products. You will be given every opportunity to contribute to this.  

Our core values (woven into how we work together) 

• Efficient & cost-conscious: We manage time and resources smartly, think critically and value what’s already in place. 

• Ambitious with long-term focus: We take ownership, build lasting relationships and stay humble in our success. 

• Striving for the best: We measure, learn, improve—and challenge each other to exceed expectations. 

• Direct & respectful: We communicate openly and treat everyone with respect, regardless of background. 

• We like to have fun: We enjoy what we do and create a positive, energetic work environment. 

Here you can already view your new workplace:

Are you the candidate we are looking for? Then we would like to receive your motivation with CV short motivation via the application link.