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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the meat category, manage supplier relationships, 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 high-quality food innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in meat category buying and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Site-based role in North West London with opportunities to learn from industry leaders.
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
This is a site-based role, offering regular interaction with the product in the warehouse and strong collaboration across internal teams. The Meat Buyer will be responsible for:
- 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. Understanding current market dynamics, consumer preferences, and emerging suppliers can give you an edge during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food distribution sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities within their companies.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with ERP systems and data management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used these tools to improve stock performance or supplier relationships in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your negotiation skills by preparing case studies or examples from your past experiences. Highlight how you successfully managed supplier relationships and achieved cost savings while maintaining product quality.
We think you need these skills to ace Meat Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant 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 hands-on attitude. Mention how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Meat Buyer role and express your enthusiasm for joining a values-led business.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Include any experience you have with ERP systems and data tools like Excel or PowerPoint.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in this role.
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 negotiated pricing.
✨Demonstrate Strong Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is key for this role, come equipped with examples of past negotiations you've led. Discuss the strategies you used and the outcomes achieved to showcase your commercial awareness.
✨Build Rapport with the Interviewers
Focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Show your ability to foster relationships by being personable and engaging, as this role requires collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.
✨Familiarise Yourself with ERP Systems
As the role involves working with ERP systems and data tools, brush up on your knowledge of these systems. Be ready to discuss your experience with data management and how it relates to maintaining product integrity and pricing accuracy.
