Buyer At AVE, our Buyers own the sourcing strategy that keeps our education, hospitality and care clients supplied with the right products, at the right cost, from the right suppliers. This role takes full ownership of a category portfolio - from market analysis and supplier negotiation through to contract management and risk - working closely with Marketing, QHSE, Operations and Food Teams to deliver a joined-up offer to our clients. You'll balance cost, quality, sustainability and compliance, building strong supplier relationships and using market insight to keep AVE and its clients ahead of the curve. Developing and executing category sourcing strategies that reflect sector-specific needs, balancing quality, cost and sustainability ~ Identifying cost-saving opportunities and implementing efficient procurement processes without compromising quality or service delivery ~Identifying, evaluating and onboarding suppliers, then negotiating contracts and terms that meet sector-specific and regulatory requirements ~Owning the supplier relationship: conducting regular business reviews, managing performance, accreditation and ROI, and driving corrective action where required ~Conducting market analysis and research to track sector trends, pricing, innovation and regulatory change, and adapting strategy accordingly ~ Maintaining accurate category and supplier data, managing client approved product lists, and championing system and data improvements ~ Owning supplier due diligence and risk management, ensuring robust processes are in place and risks are reported and tracked ~ Managing category budgets, income and discounts, and providing commercial recommendations to support wider business planning ~ Working cross-functionally with Marketing, QHSE, Operations and Food Teams to deliver a consistent client offer Experienced in category management, strategic sourcing or procurement, ideally across education, hospitality, care or another multi-site regulated sector ~Analytical, with the ability to translate market and performance data into clear commercial recommendations ~ Comfortable managing risk and supplier due diligence, including commercial, food safety and contractual requirements ~Organised and self-motivated, able to manage a varied workload and shifting priorities Work-life balance: Primarily office-based, with occasional opportunities for home working and flexible working arrangements. Annual Leave: 25 days holiday excluding bank holidays Private Healthcare scheme Pension Scheme with employer contribution Professional Development: Success in the Buyer role will be measured through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics, ensuring a comprehensive view of performance and client impact: ~ Procurement cycle times and efficiency metrics ~ Contract due diligence adherence and "Buying Calendar" task management ~ Supplier contract compliance and effectiveness of corrective action plans ~ Supplier engagement feedback and key performance metrics (material variance, lead times, stock levels) ~ Market Analysis and Research ~Systems Engagement and Data Management ~ Data availability and engagement rates across standard systems ~ Accuracy of Approved Product List (APL) management: additions, deletions, seasonal and client requirements ~ Supplier due diligence adherence and risk mitigation effectiveness, including timeliness of risk reporting ~ SLA adherence, performance tracking, issue resolution and process improvement ~ Budget and Financial ~ Review of financial plans and forecasts, with regular commercial updates ~ Identification and resourcing of additional support where needed to deliver projects ~ Our Commitment to Diversity We celebrate diversity and are committed to We're looking for a commercially driven Buyer to join the Procurement team at Added Value Enterprises (AVE). This is an opportunity to take full ownership of your category, build strategic supplier partnerships and deliver real commercial value across education, hospitality and healthcare. Driving cost savings and commercial improvements ✅ Managing supplier performance ✅ We're looking for someone who enjoys negotiating, building relationships and making commercial decisions backed by data. We're growing—and procurement is central to that growth. Competitive Salary ✔ Private Healthcare ✔ Pension Scheme ✔ 25 days annual leave + bank holidays ✔ Thrive Employee Recognition Programme ✔ Ongoing professional development ✔ Flexible working opportunities If you're ready to take the next step in your procurement career and want a role where you can genuinely make an impact—we'd love to hear from you.
Contact Details:
AVE (Added Value Enterprises) Recruitment Team
