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- 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 career growth.
- 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.
- Other info: Work across a complex supply chain and enjoy cross-functional collaboration.
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
Desirable:
- 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 employer: David Wood Foods Ltd
Contact Detail:
David Wood Foods Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer – Food & Ingredients
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local food and procurement events. Building relationships can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its suppliers. Show us you understand their business and how you can contribute to their success. Tailor your answers to highlight your negotiation skills and experience in managing supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job alerts! Actively apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email. This shows your enthusiasm and can help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on market trends and food safety standards. Being knowledgeable about the latest developments will not only impress potential employers but also prepare you for those tricky interview questions.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer – Food & Ingredients
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. Don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your strong 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’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from 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 their market trends. Being able to discuss specific ingredients and their sourcing will show that you're not just a buyer, but someone who understands the nuances of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you achieved significant cost savings or improved supplier terms. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to drive efficiencies, which is crucial for the role.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you've built and maintained strong supplier relationships in the past. Be ready to share strategies you've used to ensure performance on cost, quality, and delivery, as this is key to success in the procurement function.
✨Familiarise with MRP Systems
If you have experience with SAGE or similar MRP/ERP systems, be prepared to discuss it. Highlight how you've used these tools to manage procurement data effectively, as this will show your readiness to hit the ground running.