At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and evaluate quality teas while building global supplier relationships.
- Company: Join the UK's leading tea brand, Bettys & Taylors Group.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, profit-sharing, flexible working, and health benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team shaping the future of Yorkshire Tea.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in tea buying or blending with strong sensory skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 42000 £ per year.
Are you a passionate, values-led tea buyer looking to take the next step in your career with the UK’s leading tea brand?
Have you got the skills and experience to be part of the team behind Yorkshire Tea, the nation’s best-selling brand - helping us source great tea and build lasting relationships from crop to cup?
We’re offering a rare and exciting opportunity to join our expert Tea Buying & Blending Team as a
Tea Buyer . We’re looking for a dedicated tea professional to help shape and grow our world-renowned portfolio across tea, herbs, and flavours.
The Role
As a Tea Buyer, you’ll become part of a collaborative and knowledgeable team of tea experts.
You’ll play a key role in sourcing teas to meet quality specifications, budget targets, and stock requirements, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional products to our customers.
With strong relationship-building skills, you’ll manage supplier accounts and develop trusted partnerships across our global supply chain, in line with Taylors Sourcing Approach.
You will have a passion for and willingness to travel to remote tea growing regions.
You’ll bring a solid understanding of key tea markets, producing regions, and the factors that influence supply and pricing, enabling effective forecasting and commercial decision-making.
As a skilled tea taster, you’ll assess teas against our exacting quality standards, supported by a strong knowledge of tea manufacture.
In doing so you will also contribute to the ongoing success of our award-winning Taylors Sourcing Approach, supporting responsible sourcing practices.
Working pattern
This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week.
The team are primarily based on site at our offices in Harrogate, however this role can also accommodate hybrid working and flexible hours.
Collaborating in-person with your peers 2-3 days per week would normally be expected.
If you would like to discuss flexible working, please provide more details in your application.
About you
- Proven experience (minimum 3 years) in the tea industry, within a buying and/or blending role
- Strong tea sensory skills and a deep understanding of quality evaluation
- Good knowledge of global tea markets, origins, and supply dynamics
- Commercial awareness and sound business acumen
- Confident communicator with excellent relationship-building skills
- Understanding of tea logistics and supply chain management
- Experience travelling to tea origins is advantageous, but not essential, though a willingness to travel is.
- Right to work in the UK (we are not a sponsor licence holder)
About us - great people, great culture
We are Bettys & Taylors Group.
Our family business is home to three iconic Yorkshire brands – Yorkshire Tea, Bettys, and Taylors of Harrogate.
Together we share a passion for quality, delighting customers, and doing things properly.
We are driven by our purpose and values, and we know our talented people set us apart.
That’s where you come in.
We are committed to offering a welcoming, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive and we welcome applications from all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences .
Don’t worry if you do not meet 100% of the job requirements listed above – if you fulfil most of the skills and experiences we\'re looking for, please apply as we would love to hear from you.
What we offer you
You’ll receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial and overall wellbeing.
On top of a competitive salary, we offer
- A discretionary profit-share bonus scheme paid quarterly (11.9% average over the last three years).
- A generous, flexible and inclusive range of family-friendly benefits to support you through every stage of life.
These include enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave arrangements, flexible working options, paid time off for caring responsibilities, and emergency family leave.
- Freshly cooked hot meals while at work, along with free drinks and snacks
- Discounts on Bettys & Taylors products
- A range of health benefits, including a health cash plan, health assessments, flu jabs and more.
- Wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme (free and independent service offering free counselling and health and wellbeing resources). Read more here.
- The option to buy and (in some cases) sell additional holidays.
- Pension schemes and life assurance.
- And more.
We also offer a range of development opportunities no matter your role and ambitions. We encourage everyone to take control of their career and make the most of:
- On-the-job learning
- External training programmes
- Apprenticeship opportunities
- Internal 1:1 coaching schemes
- Find out more about working here on our website.
- Application & Interview Process
- We have a two-stage interview process, consisting of a competency-based interview and a task
- Interviews are planned to take place 1st - 11th September and 1st – 9th October
- We share our interview questions in advance of the interview to help you prepare and be at your best.
Please let us know of any reasonable adjustments which you would benefit from.
The hiring manager will pick up any information provided in your application and get in touch with you to talk about what could support you.
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Tea Buyer in Harrogate employer: Bettys & Taylors
Bettys & Taylors is an exceptional employer that values its Front of House team, offering a vibrant work culture where customer service excellence is celebrated. Located in Northallerton, employees enjoy benefits such as complimentary meals, profit-share bonuses, and comprehensive training opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tea Buyer in Harrogate
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We think you need these skills to ace Tea Buyer in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Projects:When applying for a role in food science and technology at Bettys & Taylors, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or research you've worked on. Whether it’s a dissertation, a lab experiment, or a product development idea, detail these experiences to demonstrate your hands-on skills in the field—employers love to see practical applications of your knowledge!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:As this is a full-time position, your cover letter should convey not just why you want the job, but also how you fit into the company's vision. Talk about your passion for food science and how your background uniquely positions you to contribute to Bettys & Taylors. Make it personal and compelling!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Bettys & Taylors
✨Know Your Lab Tech!
Given that you’re diving into food science and technology, brush up on the specific technologies and lab equipment mentioned in the job description. Familiarising yourself with tools like gas chromatography or texture analyzers will show that you’re serious about the technical side of things.
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Make sure you’re clued up about the latest trends in food science and technology — think sustainability, food safety, and innovative processing techniques. Discussing these topics during your interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field and how you can contribute to Bettys & Taylors’s mission.