At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing strategy and manage supplier relationships in the cheese category.
- Company: Established dairy and speciality cheese business with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities to influence across various functions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cheese products while driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in buying within dairy or FMCG, strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
A well-established dairy and speciality cheese business is looking to appoint a Senior Buyer to take full ownership of its cheese category. This role sits at the centre of commercial performance. You will lead sourcing strategy, manage UK and international supplier relationships, and take responsibility for margin in a category where commodity pricing, currency movement, and supply continuity directly impact the business.
You will shape and develop a balanced product range across artisan, speciality, continental, and commodity cheeses, ensuring it meets both customer demand and commercial targets. Working closely with sales, supply chain, technical, and finance, you will support tenders, promotions, and new product launches, ensuring decisions made in procurement translate effectively into operational delivery.
Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience as a Senior Buyer within dairy, chilled foods, or FMCG wholesale
- Strong commercial and negotiation capability, with a track record of delivering margin improvement
- Experience managing international suppliers and understanding import processes and supply routes
- Ability to interpret market data, commodity trends, and cost drivers to inform decisions
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across functions
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment
- Passion for food, particularly cheese, with a genuine interest in product and category development
Senior Buyer (Cheese) in Kent employer: Blakeney Point Search & Selection
Contact Detail:
Blakeney Point Search & Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer (Cheese) in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts and attend relevant events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show your passion for cheese and how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to see that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets the business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to secure the best deals. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer (Cheese) in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cheese: When you're writing your application, let your love for cheese shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the product and category development. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your passion for food, especially cheese.
Highlight Your Negotiation Skills: As a Senior Buyer, strong commercial and negotiation skills are key. Make sure to showcase your track record of delivering margin improvement in your application. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and negotiated deals.
Demonstrate Your Market Knowledge: We’re looking for someone who can interpret market data and understand commodity trends. In your application, mention any experience you have with analysing market data or managing international suppliers. This will show us that you’re ready to tackle the challenges of this role.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your relevant experience in dairy, chilled foods, or FMCG wholesale, and make sure to connect your skills to the specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blakeney Point Search & Selection
✨Know Your Cheese!
Make sure you brush up on your cheese knowledge before the interview. Understand the different types of cheeses, their origins, and what makes them unique. This will not only show your passion for the product but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Master the Numbers
Since this role involves managing margins and interpreting market data, be prepared to discuss how you've successfully improved margins in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've used data to inform your sourcing strategies and decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of successful negotiations with suppliers. Highlight your approach, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This will help illustrate your commercial capability and how you can add value to their business.
✨Build Relationships
Stakeholder management is key in this role. Think about how you've influenced cross-functional teams in the past. Be ready to discuss your strategies for building strong relationships with sales, supply chain, and finance teams to ensure smooth operational delivery.