At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage procurement of food ingredients and negotiate with suppliers for cost efficiencies.
- Company: Join a growing food manufacturing business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £40,000 plus benefits and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a complex supply chain environment.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact in a fast-paced environment while influencing supplier strategy.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within food manufacturing and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £40,000 + Benefits (dependant on experience)
Location: Leeds Head Office (with UK travel)
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Buyer to join our Procurement team within a fast‐paced, multi‐site food manufacturing business. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of key ingredient categories within a £70M procurement function, supporting a high‐volume operation across 7 manufacturing sites. You'll play a critical role in ensuring continuity of supply, driving cost efficiencies, and maintaining strong supplier performance.
What You'll Be Doing
- Managing procurement of food ingredients and raw materials across defined categories
- Negotiating pricing, contracts, and commercial terms with suppliers
- Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, ensuring performance on cost, quality, and delivery
- Identifying and delivering cost‐saving initiatives
- Monitoring market trends and managing supply risks
- Supporting New Product Development (NPD) through sourcing of new ingredients
- Ensuring compliance with food safety, regulatory, and customer standards
- Working cross‐functionally with Technical, Operations, Logistics, and Commercial teams
- Managing procurement data and systems (SAGE MRP or equivalent)
What We're Looking For
Essential:- Proven experience in a Buyer/Procurement role within food manufacturing or FMCG
- Strong negotiation and commercial skills
- Experience managing significant spend and supplier portfolios
- Ability to work in a fast‐paced, high‐volume environment
- Strong organisational and stakeholder management skills
- Experience with MRP/ERP systems (SAGE or similar) and Microsoft Office
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Right to work in the UK
- Experience sourcing across UK and EU markets
- Knowledge of commodity‐driven ingredient markets
- Understanding of food safety standards (e.g. BRC, HACCP)
- MCIPS qualification (or working towards)
What Success Looks Like
- Delivery of cost savings against targets
- Consistent continuity of supply to manufacturing sites
- Strong supplier performance (OTIF, quality compliance)
- Accurate and efficient procurement processes
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a well‐established, growing food manufacturing business
- Work within a large‐scale, complex supply chain environment
- Opportunity to influence supplier strategy and category performance
- Collaborative, cross‐functional working culture
If you're a proactive Buyer who thrives on pace, ownership, and making a tangible commercial impact — we'd love to hear from you.
Buyer – Food & Ingredients in Bradford employer: David Wood Foods Ltd
Join a well-established and growing food manufacturing business in Leeds, where you will thrive in a collaborative and dynamic work culture. As a Buyer for Food & Ingredients, you'll have the opportunity to influence supplier strategy and category performance while enjoying competitive benefits and a clear path for professional growth within a complex supply chain environment. Your contributions will directly impact our success, making this a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer – Food & Ingredients in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local food and ingredients 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 suppliers. Show us that you understand their procurement challenges and how you can help drive cost efficiencies and maintain supplier performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing pricing and contracts. We want to see that you can confidently handle those crucial conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer – Food & Ingredients in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in food manufacturing and procurement, focusing on your negotiation skills and supplier management. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive cost efficiencies.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, don’t forget to showcase your organisational and stakeholder management skills. We’re looking for someone who can thrive in a fast-paced environment, so give us examples of how you've successfully managed multiple priorities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at David Wood Foods Ltd
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food ingredients and raw materials. Understand the current market trends and be ready to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to drive cost efficiencies and ensure continuity of supply.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've successfully led. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to achieve favourable terms with suppliers, as this role heavily relies on strong negotiation skills.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think of instances where you've worked with different teams, like Technical or Operations, to achieve a common goal. Highlighting your ability to collaborate effectively will show that you can thrive in a complex supply chain environment.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Compliance Standards
Make sure you understand key food safety standards such as BRC and HACCP. Being able to discuss how you ensure compliance in procurement processes will demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety in the food manufacturing sector.
