Buyer - Direct Procurement (Food Ingredients)

Buyer – Direct Procurement (Food Ingredients)

Location: East Midlands (Hybrid)

Salary: Up to £50,000 + Excellent Benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a leading UK FMCG manufacturer as it embarks on a major transformation of its procurement function. Following the appointment of a new Chief Procurement Officer, the business is investing heavily in procurement, creating an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Buyer to join a growing team during an exciting period of change.

Working within the Direct Procurement team, you'll be responsible for sourcing food ingredients and supporting the delivery of category strategies across a diverse supplier base. You'll work closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Supply Chain and Quality to ensure security of supply, deliver commercial value and support continuous improvement across the business.

Key Responsibilities

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• Manage end-to-end sourcing activities across a portfolio of direct food ingredients.
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• Support the development and execution of category strategies.
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• Build and develop strong supplier relationships, driving performance and continuous improvement.
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• Lead commercial negotiations and support contract management activities.
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• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for value creation and process improvement.
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• Support supplier risk management and continuity of supply initiatives.
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• Play an active role in the ongoing procurement transformation programme.
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About You

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• Previous procurement or buying experience within an FMCG, food manufacturing or wider manufacturing environment.
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• Exposure to sourcing direct materials or ingredients would be advantageous.
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• Strong commercial acumen with excellent stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
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• Ambitious, driven and looking to build a long-term career within procurement.
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• Experience managing sourcing activities through the full procurement lifecycle.
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This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that is genuinely transforming its procurement function. With strong backing from senior leadership and a newly appointed CPO, you'll gain exposure to strategic procurement initiatives, work alongside experienced procurement professionals and have a clear development pathway into a Category Manager position within the next 12–18 months.

The business offers a flexible hybrid working model, core working hours of 10:00am–4:00pm, full CIPS sponsorship, and a collaborative culture focused on developing future procurement leaders.

To find out more, or to apply, please send your CV to [email protected].