Category Coordinator


Company:	Kids Planet Day Nurseries
Salary:	Competitive, dependent on experience.
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Lymm, WA13 0RN
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	10 Aug 2026
Closing date:	9 Sept 2026

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Summary

Location: Kids Planet Head Office, Lymm, Cheshire (or hybrid if offered)

What if your next job meant more than just work, what if it meant shaping futures, every day?

Kids Planet is a proud family-run business, we do things with heart and we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start. No two settings are the same, but all of them are built around our shared values: care, curiosity, and a genuine love for early years.

Join Kids Planet as a Category Coordinator!

Purpose of the role:

To support the Procurement team in managing product and service categories across the Kids Planet nursery estate. The role helps ensure nurseries receive quality products at competitive prices while maintaining supplier relationships, contract compliance, and accurate procurement data.

Why Kids Planet?

Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26

Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025

Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second year running

80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply

What’s in it for you?

Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan.

Free breakfast, lunch, and healthy snacks to fuel your day!

Accredited training through our awesome KP Academy and bespoke training platform.

Enhanced leave for maternity, paternity, fertility, and adoption because family matters.

Wellbeing goodies, staff rewards, and fun events all year round.

Long service awards to celebrate your commitment.

Take the day off on your birthday, it’s all about you!

Competitive salary, pension plan and enhanced holiday allowance.

Key responsibilities:

Support Category Managers with sourcing and procurement projects.

Maintain supplier and product databases.

Create and update product catalogues and pricing.

Analyse spend data and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Prepare supplier performance reports and KPIs.

Liaise with nurseries regarding product queries and supply issues.

Coordinate supplier meetings and maintain action trackers.

Assist with tender processes and contract documentation.

Monitor stock trends and demand across nursery locations.

Work closely with Finance to resolve invoice or pricing discrepancies.

Ensure procurement policies and compliance requirements are followed.

Support the onboarding of new suppliers and products following acquisitions.

Skills and experience:

Experience in procurement, buying, supply chain or category administration.

Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis).

Excellent organisational and administrative skills.

Good analytical and numerical ability.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Attention to detail and accuracy.

Experience using procurement or ERP systems is desirable.

Personal qualities:

Proactive and self-motivated.

Collaborative team player.

Commercially aware.

Customer-focused.

Adaptable and able to work in a growing business.

Problem solver with a continuous improvement mindset.

Typical categories managed:

Depending on the team structure, categories could include:

Food and catering supplies

Educational resources and toys

Furniture and nursery equipment

Cleaning and hygiene products

PPE and consumables

Utilities and facilities services

Maintenance and contractor services

IT equipment and office supplies

Like the sound of joining our family?

Apply today to be a Category Coordinator with Kids Planet!

We are unable to offer any kind of visa sponsorship for this role.

Kids Planet is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and young people. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role. We expect all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment, and safeguarding training is a fundamental part of every role. All colleagues are required to complete regular training to ensure they understand and fulfil their responsibilities. A Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is mandatory for all positions, and this role will be subject to enhanced checks as part of our safeguarding duties.

Kids Planet is committed to equal opportunities for all. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our staff and children. Applications are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

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