Category Buyer - Poultry

Category Buyer – Poultry/ Protein\\nLocation: Greater Manchester\\nSalary: £55,000 + Benefits\\nSector: Food Manufacturing / Protein Supply Chain\\n\\nAre you a commercially astute buyer with a passion for sourcing top-quality products and driving performance in a fast-paced, chilled food environment? A leading national food manufacturer and supplier is seeking a Category Buyer to take ownership of their protein procurement, with a particular focus on poultry, and play a vital role in supporting both operational excellence and strategic growth.\\n\\nYour Responsibilities\\n\\n * Take charge of the end-to-end buying strategy for key protein categories, aligning supplier partnerships with changing business needs.\\n\\n * Negotiate directly with suppliers on pricing, volume, and product specifications – ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.\\n\\n * Collaborate cross-functionally with supply chain, planning, and operations teams to manage supplier performance and uphold service level agreements.\\n\\n * Be the market expert in your category – monitoring trends, assessing risks, and presenting clear insights to both internal stakeholders and customers.\\n\\n * Support tender processes by delivering timely, accurate forecasts and forward pricing indications.\\n\\n * Maintain accurate supplier pricing data and oversee the seamless administration of cost updates.\\n\\n * Identify and manage risks in the supply chain, ensuring consistent product availability.\\n\\nSkills & Experience Required\\n\\n * Experience in food procurement – ideally in poultry or chilled/fresh categories.\\n\\n * Strong negotiation skills with a keen understanding of product and material costing.\\n\\n * Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.\\n\\n * A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with the ability to prioritise under pressure.\\n\\n * Comfortable working in a chilled environment and engaging with suppliers both in the UK and abroad.\\n\\n * A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel when required.\\n\\n * Ideally, degree-level education or CIPS qualification.\\n\\n * Background in fresh meat or poultry supply is highly advantageous\\n\\nIn Return\\n\\n * The opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK’s most respected food suppliers.\\n\\n * A role that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to make a measurable impact across the business.\\n\\n * Be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.\\n\\nApply today to take the next step in your career as a strategic procurement specialist in the dynamic world of protein sourcing