Indirect Buyer

Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well‑known restaurants. We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door. Our advanced manufacturing site in Brackley is one of our main processing facilities, employing over 700 people. We operate across England and Wales with an agricultural network of over 350 farms spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

About the Role

Looking for a new challenge? Do you have experience working within a manufacturing/production procurement environment and thrive in a fast‑paced, growing operation? The role is office‑based but may require occasional time in the factory environment. Working hours are Monday‑Friday 08:00‑17:00.

What will you be doing as an Indirect Buyer at Avara?

Reporting into the Category Lead, you will purchase goods, materials and services to ensure the company’s operational needs are met while considering price, value, total cost of ownership, quality and delivery. You will support the Category Lead in creating category strategies and be responsible for delivering those strategies and meeting targets aligned with the overall Procurement Strategy. You will maintain day‑to‑day internal relationships across sites relevant to the categories.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchase goods, materials, components or services in line with specified cost, quality and delivery targets and the company Procurement Policy.
• Support the Procurement function and other relevant departments, and communicate any supply problems that may impact business operations.
• Act as an interface between suppliers and other relevant departments on Procurement processes and new projects and activities.
• Monitor and advise on any issues that present risk or opportunity to the Category Lead.
• Understand the Category Spend and implement agreed processes to better control spend within budget.
• Understand category markets, cost drivers and suppliers.
• Provide cost analysis and work on cost‑reduction activities, such as tenders.
• Work closely with others in the procurement function to review opportunities for continuous improvement and business improvements.
• Negotiate contracts, improve prices and terms of business with suppliers, and review opportunities to generate savings using procurement best‑practice tools such as tenders.
• Manage contracts, following the contract management process, and communicate contract details and purchase‑order requirements to internal stakeholders.
• Build, maintain and manage supplier relationships and keep good communications to understand challenges and opportunities.
• Ensure a professional and consistent approach to all supplier relationships and compliance with company guidelines, Procurement policies and procedures.
• Conduct research for new products, services and suppliers, and work closely with internal stakeholders to gain buy‑in.
• Compile data relating to supplier performance to enable evaluation and conduct performance reviews to ensure contract compliance.
• Contact suppliers to resolve price, quality, delivery or invoice issues.

What You’ll Need To Be Successful

• Working towards a CIPS qualification.
• Excellent analytical skills (including Excel).
• Excellent knowledge of contract terms and conditions.
• Contract management and supplier experience.
• Commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to interface with cross‑functional teams and levels in the business.
• Confidence and presentation skills.
• Ability to make decisions under pressure.
• Negotiation skills.
• Tendering skills.
• Risk management experience.

The Benefits Of Working For Avara Foods

• As an indirect Buyer, you will enjoy a secure, supportive and progressive working environment where your contributions and achievements are recognised and rewarded.
• We offer comprehensive training and continuous development as you build your long‑term career with us.
• From £30,000 per annum.
• 31 days holiday allowance.
• Secure contract with long‑term career development opportunities.
• Straight‑forward pension contribution of 6 %.
• Subsidised staff canteen serving hot food.
• Staff shop / staff sales at hugely discounted prices.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Salaried advance finance.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.
• Access to our Employee Benefit Scheme, including unlimited remote GP appointments, unlimited mental‑health sessions, physiotherapy sessions, medical second‑opinion consultation, and other discounts and perks such as savings on weekly costs.