At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the meat category, manage suppliers, and ensure product quality.
- Company: Join a top fine food distributor known for quality and service excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, and daily access to premium products.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a passionate team focused on innovation and quality.
- Qualifications: Experience in category buying for meat products and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: This is a site-based role in North West London with opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 54000 £ per year.
Our client, a leading fine food distributor with an outstanding reputation in the UK food industry, is seeking a skilled and commercially driven Meat Buyer to join their team at their site in North West London. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a key product category within a company renowned for quality, provenance, and service excellence. The successful candidate will work closely with suppliers, warehouse, sales, and finance teams to ensure product integrity, pricing accuracy, and optimal stock performance.
The Role & Duties
- Leading the meat category, including product range management, pricing negotiations, and supplier performance.
- Building and maintaining supplier relationships, including onboarding, KPIs, and scheduled reviews.
- Supporting import and logistics processes in coordination with the Import Officer and Warehouse teams.
- Ensuring product data, landed cost calculations, and pricing accuracy are maintained within the ERP system.
- Managing stock levels to meet availability targets and support working capital objectives.
- Authorising supplier invoices and supporting finance with accurate product cost information.
- Driving category growth through cost-saving initiatives, efficiency improvements, and margin management — without compromising quality.
Your Skills & Experience
- Category Buying management experience with meat products is essential.
- Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
- Ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Confident working with ERP systems and data tools (Excel/PowerPoint).
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Team leadership experience is desirable.
- A hands-on attitude and passion for high-quality food.
What’s in it for you?
- A competitive starting salary of £45,000+ per annum, with bonus potential.
- An opportunity to join a values-led, food-focused business with a fantastic reputation.
- Be part of a team that is genuinely passionate about product quality and innovation.
- Daily access to premium products and the ability to make a visible impact within the business.
- The opportunity to learn from industry leaders with genuine passions and knowledge of fine produce.
If you’re an experienced Meat Buyer or Protein Category Manager looking to step into a dynamic and quality-driven role, I’d love to hear from you. Apply now or contact our team in confidence for more information.
Meat Buyer employer: D R Newitt & Associates
Contact Detail:
D R Newitt & Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Meat Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the meat industry, including sourcing practices and consumer preferences. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for quality food.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food distribution sector, especially those involved in meat buying. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to valuable insights and potential referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and driven category growth in previous roles. Highlighting your achievements will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your proficiency with ERP systems and data analysis tools by brushing up on relevant software skills. Being able to demonstrate your technical capabilities can give you an edge in a role that relies heavily on data accuracy.
We think you need these skills to ace Meat Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in category buying management, particularly with meat products. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for high-quality food and your ability to build effective relationships with suppliers. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Meat Buyer role.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your proficiency with ERP systems and data tools like Excel and PowerPoint. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to manage stock levels or drive category growth.
Showcase Team Leadership Experience: If you have team leadership experience, make sure to include it in your application. Discuss how you've led teams in previous roles and how that experience will benefit the company.
How to prepare for a job interview at D R Newitt & Associates
✨Showcase Your Category Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in category buying management, particularly with meat products. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully managed product ranges and supplier relationships in the past.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is key for this role, come equipped with examples of successful negotiations you've conducted. Discuss the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved, showcasing your strong commercial awareness.
✨Foster Relationships
Emphasise your ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Be ready to share instances where your relationship-building skills led to improved supplier performance or collaboration within teams.
✨Be Data Savvy
As the role involves working with ERP systems and data tools, demonstrate your proficiency in these areas. Prepare to discuss how you've used data analysis to drive category growth or improve stock management in previous roles.