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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy, manage supplier relationships, and optimise costs in a dynamic food retail environment.
- Company: Join a leading food/retail business in Shropshire, known for its growth and ambition.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, strong team collaboration, and the chance to shape a key function.
- Why this job: This role offers autonomy, visibility with senior leadership, and the opportunity to make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior buying roles within FMCG or retail, with strong negotiation and leadership skills required.
- Other info: MCIPS qualification preferred; this is a full-time, office-based position.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Shropshire, UK
Salary: Up to £100,000 per annum
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent
We’re working exclusively with a leading food/retail business based near Shropshire to recruit a Head of Buying — a newly created role offering real scope to shape strategy, streamline operations, and lead a growing procurement function. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially-minded procurement leader with deep expertise in food, FMCG, or retail sectors to join a thriving and ambitious organisation during a key phase of growth.
The Role
The Head of Buying will be responsible for the full procurement life-cycle, from sourcing and supplier management to contract negotiation, compliance, and cost optimisation. This role is pivotal in ensuring consistent supply, commercial agility, and operational excellence across the business. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders and manage a dedicated buying team, with a focus on food ingredients, packaging, and operational goods.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement a strategic buying road map aligned with business objectives
- Lead supplier sourcing, contract negotiations, and relationship management
- Drive cost savings, improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply chain risks
- Ensure compliance with food safety, ethical sourcing, and regulatory standards
- Deliver buying reporting and KPIs to the executive team
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, and Product teams
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience in a senior buying role within food manufacturing, FMCG, or retail
- Strong track record of commercial negotiations and supplier performance management
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to influence at all levels
- Strategic mindset with excellent analytical and decision-making skills
- Familiarity with ERP/procurement systems and data-driven reporting
- MCIPS-qualified or working towards (preferred)
What’s on Offer
- Salary up to £100,000 per annum, plus benefits
- Office-based role with strong team collaboration
- Opportunity to lead and scale a function in a fast-moving business
- High level of autonomy and visibility with senior leadership
Next Steps
If you’re an experienced procurement leader ready for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact Detail:
FMCG Exec Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buying - FMCG
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG and retail sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in food procurement and supply chain management. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and innovations in the industry will help you stand out during discussions with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your strategic vision for the buying function. Think about how you would approach supplier relationships, cost optimisation, and compliance, as these are key responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership style and experience in managing teams. Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and driven performance improvements in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying - FMCG
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, particularly within the food, FMCG, or retail sectors. Use specific examples of your achievements in supplier management and cost optimisation to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your strategic mindset and leadership style. Explain how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Head of Buying role and how you can contribute to the company's growth.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your skills in commercial negotiations, supplier performance management, and compliance with food safety standards. Mention any familiarity with ERP/procurement systems and your MCIPS qualification if applicable.
Showcase Your Leadership Experience: Provide examples of your hands-on leadership experience and your ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Discuss how you've successfully led teams and collaborated cross-functionally in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Exec
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
As a Head of Buying, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to design and implement strategic buying road maps. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully aligned procurement strategies with business objectives.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
This role requires strong commercial negotiation skills. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've negotiated contracts or improved supplier performance, showcasing your ability to drive cost savings and mitigate risks.
✨Emphasise Leadership Experience
With a hands-on leadership style being essential, prepare to talk about how you've led teams in the past. Share your approach to influencing stakeholders at all levels and how you foster collaboration within your team.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
The ideal candidate should have excellent analytical and decision-making skills. Bring data-driven examples to the interview that illustrate how you've used analytics to inform your procurement decisions and improve operational excellence.
