Category Buyer

Are you an experienced Poultry or Category Buyer, looking for a new opportunity? Here at Birtwistle's we pride ourselves on being a people focused business. Our goal is to support our team in achieving their career goals by providing a working environment that offers opportunity, support, scope and pace of change. Our culture is the foundation of our business and is reflected in our Mission, Vision and Values statements.

About the Role

The Protein Buyer will be responsible for purchasing predominantly poultry but other protein categories may be incorporated. They will need to liaise closely with internal stakeholders, maintain and develop strong supplier relationships and implement the company buying strategy. In doing this, provide a solid base from which to satisfy our current customers and attract new business.

• Implementing the company buying strategy for their categories.
• Identifying the correct suppliers to provide the best possible commercial and product offering for our customer base and adjusting according to changing business requirements.
• To directly agree prices, volumes and specifications with suppliers for raw materials, working closely with the Supply Chain, Planning and Operations teams.
• In conjunction with the Supply Chain team, manage supplier performance and ensure they are hitting requisite service levels and targeted KPIs.
• Where appropriate, take action to address underperformance whilst acknowledging excellent supplier performance.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the market pertaining to the categories responsible for and being the market expert on these categories.
• Present market data to the wider business, and where necessary customers, in a clear, concise and professional manner.
• Creating effective, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and work closely with them in order to understand the business buying requirements.
• Accurate and timely administration of supplier cost prices.
• Play an integral role in the preparation of customer tenders, providing forward pricing indications for raw materials within the set deadlines.
• Identifying risks within the supply chain and making recommendations to ensure continuity of supply.
• To comply with all legal and statutory obligations applicable to the role.
• Support Company Initiatives and demonstrate Company Values at all times.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks as required by the Company.
• Take responsibility for the Health and Safety of yourself and others whilst at work and to comply with the Company's policies and legislation.
• All individuals are expected to maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job and participate in appropriate learning and development activities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside a team of passionate, committed professionals that will inspire you on a daily basis. We have a reputation for establishing a working environment that encourages fun and creativity. We want to encourage you to make decisions that affect your work and consider continuous improvements.

We would welcome applications with the following skills:

• Meat Buyer
• Poultry Buyer
• Negotiation
• Buying
• Supplier
• MS Office
• FMCG
• Customer Service
• Stock Control
• Sales Forecasting
• Staff Development
• People Management
• Data Analysis
• Trend Analysis
• Reporting
• IT Literate
• ERP
• Communication

Benefits:

• 20 Days holiday
• Staff sales
• Service Holidays
• Employee of the Month
• Christmas Hamper
• Free Car Parking

Additional Information:

Base working hours are Monday to Friday 07:00 – 16:00.

Requirements:

Competencies and Personal Characteristics:

• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Stock control experience desirable.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft and other software packages.
• Welcomes accountability and takes responsibility.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, organise well and deliver to agreed deadlines.
• Confidential and professional approach.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Flexible in approach to accommodate business needs.
• Effective communicator (verbal and written).
• Team Player who builds good working relationships at all levels and collaborates cross functionally.
• Able to work on own initiative, demonstrates good judgement and makes sound timely decisions.

Qualifications and Education Requirements:

A background in fresh chilled meat/poultry is preferred but not essential as full training will be given.

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience buying within a food purchasing role, ideally poultry.
• Experience within chilled food manufacturing/fresh meat supply is preferred.
• Educated to degree level/CIP qualified preferred but not essential with relevant experience.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Detailed understanding of product and material costings.
• Good working knowledge of both Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Effective presentation skills, both written and spoken to internal and external contacts.
• Accuracy on own research and presented findings.
• Good general purchasing practices on goods and services.
• The ability to work on own initiative with a flexible & open approach is essential as the product range within this remit is diverse.
• Ability to problem solve, in a proactive nature - to identify and resolve supply issues.
• Holding a full driving licence is essential and a flexible approach to travel in the UK and occasionally abroad is required.
• A track record of successful project management.

Essential:

• IT literate (Proficient in the use of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Email).
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with managers in other areas of the business, to deliver the common goals of the business in terms of profitability and provision of agreed service levels to customers.
• Willingness to embrace change and develop people within your team.
• The ability to work to tight deadlines.
• A strong commercial understanding of the business.