Commercial Manager in Maidstone

Are you an experienced fresh produce buyer with a passion for sourcing quality fruit from around the world? We are working with a well established fresh produce business seeking a Procurement Manager to take ownership of fruit sourcing and supplier management. This is an excellent opportunity to join a respected organisation offering a competitive salary of circa 50k alongside an impressive benefits package, with the flexibility to be based in either London or Kent. Procurement Manager Key Responsibilities Take responsibility for the procurement of fruit categories, managing the sourcing process from end to end Establish, develop and maintain strong supplier and grower relationships both in the UK and internationally Source products worldwide, identifying new supply opportunities and building a robust supply base Produce and prepare weekly costings and manage price returns within agreed timescales Achieve sales, volume and margin targets within the department Identify and deliver cost savings throughout the supply chain Work closely with technical, supply chain and operations teams to ensure quality and timely delivery Contribute to the development of joint category plans and support longer term forecasting Provide leadership and development to the wider teamProcurement Manager Key Requirements Proven fresh produce procurement or buying experience, ideally within fruit Experience sourcing products on a worldwide basis Strong supplier and grower relationship management skills Commercial acumen with experience of costings, margin and category performance Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross functionally Confident working with data and reportingIf you are an experienced fresh produce procurement professional looking for your next opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK