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- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for poultry, negotiate with suppliers, and manage performance.
- Company: Join a top UK food manufacturer known for quality and innovation in protein supply.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while working with industry experts.
- Qualifications: Experience in food procurement, strong negotiation skills, and ideally a degree or CIPS qualification.
- Other info: Flexibility to travel and a full UK driving licence are required.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.
Location: Greater Manchester
Salary: £55,000 + Benefits
Sector: Food Manufacturing / Protein Supply Chain
Are you a commercially astute buyer with a passion for sourcing top-quality products and driving performance in a fast-paced, chilled food environment? A leading national food manufacturer and supplier is seeking a Category Buyer to take ownership of their protein procurement, with a particular focus on poultry, and play a vital role in supporting both operational excellence and strategic growth.
Your Responsibilities
- Take charge of the end-to-end buying strategy for key protein categories, aligning supplier partnerships with changing business needs.
- Negotiate directly with suppliers on pricing, volume, and product specifications – ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with supply chain, planning, and operations teams to manage supplier performance and uphold service level agreements.
- Be the market expert in your category – monitoring trends, assessing risks, and presenting clear insights to both internal stakeholders and customers.
- Support tender processes by delivering timely, accurate forecasts and forward pricing indications.
- Maintain accurate supplier pricing data and oversee the seamless administration of cost updates.
- Identify and manage risks in the supply chain, ensuring consistent product availability.
Skills & Experience Required
- Experience in food procurement – ideally in poultry or chilled/fresh categories.
- Strong negotiation skills with a keen understanding of product and material costing.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.
- A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with the ability to prioritise under pressure.
- Comfortable working in a chilled environment and engaging with suppliers both in the UK and abroad.
- A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel when required.
- Ideally, degree-level education or CIPS qualification.
- Background in fresh meat or poultry supply is highly advantageous.
In Return
- The opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK’s most respected food suppliers.
- A role that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to make a measurable impact across the business.
- Be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Apply today to take the next step in your career as a strategic procurement specialist in the dynamic world of protein sourcing.
Contact Detail:
D R Newitt & Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer – Poultry
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the poultry and protein market. Understanding current market dynamics will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying informed about the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food procurement sector, especially those with experience in poultry. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could provide insights or even referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your negotiation successes in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to secure favourable terms while maintaining quality will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems by being ready to discuss how you've used these tools to enhance procurement processes. This will illustrate your technical skills and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer – Poultry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food procurement, particularly in poultry or chilled categories. Use specific examples to demonstrate your negotiation skills and understanding of product costing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for sourcing top-quality products and your ability to drive performance. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in Microsoft Office and any ERP systems you have used. Also, mention your proactive mindset and ability to work under pressure, as these are key attributes for the role.
Showcase Market Knowledge: Demonstrate your expertise in the poultry market by including insights on current trends or risks you've identified. This will show your potential employer that you are well-informed and ready to contribute from day one.
How to prepare for a job interview at D R Newitt & Associates
✨Showcase Your Procurement Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in food procurement, especially in poultry or chilled categories. Highlight specific examples where you successfully negotiated with suppliers or improved procurement processes.
✨Demonstrate Your Market Knowledge
Research current trends in the poultry and protein market. Be ready to share insights on how these trends could impact the company's procurement strategy and supplier relationships.
✨Highlight Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss your negotiation tactics and provide examples of successful negotiations you've conducted. Emphasise your ability to balance cost-effectiveness with quality assurance.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Illustrate your experience working with different teams, such as supply chain and operations. Discuss how you have managed supplier performance and upheld service level agreements through effective collaboration.
