At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of sourcing packaging materials and negotiate deals to ensure quality and value.
- Company: Join a leading food manufacturing company focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to work on exciting projects and develop your career.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of sustainable packaging solutions and drive positive change in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 33075 - 40425 £ per year.
This is what you’ll actually do! As a Group Buyer, you will take ownership of the end-to-end procurement of packaging materials across a designated supplier and product portfolio, ensuring quality, service and value are delivered in line with business objectives. You will develop and implement sourcing strategies, negotiate pricing and commercial agreements, and monitor market trends to identify both risks and opportunities, while delivering cost-saving and cost-avoidance initiatives. You will also maintain accurate supplier and contract data, supporting budgeting, forecasting and spend reporting activities.
Working closely with key suppliers, you will build and maintain strong relationships to ensure high levels of service, quality and delivery performance. You will monitor supplier KPIs, conduct supplier reviews and drive performance improvement initiatives where required, while identifying alternative sourcing opportunities to strengthen supply resilience and minimise business risk. You will also manage the commercial aspects of supply issues and disruptions, ensuring continuity of supply across the business.
Collaboration will be central to your role, as you work alongside NPD, Technical and Operations teams to source packaging solutions for new and existing products. You will evaluate quotations, samples and specifications, support packaging trials and product launches, and identify opportunities for optimisation, standardisation and cost reduction. Throughout, you will ensure that all sourcing decisions meet technical specifications, food safety requirements and customer expectations.
Supporting Finsbury's sustainability agenda, you will work with suppliers to identify innovative and environmentally responsible packaging solutions, including opportunities to increase the use of recycled, recyclable and lower-impact materials. By keeping up to date with developments in packaging technology, legislation and industry best practice, you will help drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste, improve efficiency and optimise packaging costs, while contributing to wider procurement and business improvement projects.
You will also play an important role in managing risk and ensuring compliance, sourcing packaging materials in line with company policies, technical standards and regulatory requirements. This will include supporting supplier risk assessments, business continuity planning and supply chain resilience activities, maintaining accurate documentation, and proactively identifying and escalating any supply, quality or commercial risks that could impact the business.
Ideally this is you! We are looking for an organised, commercially minded and proactive procurement professional who can build strong relationships while confidently challenging suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Essential
- Experience in a buying/procurement role, ideally within food manufacturing, FMCG or a related industry.
- Experience of purchasing packaging materials or working closely with packaging suppliers.
- Strong commercial and negotiation skills.
- Good understanding of supplier management and procurement processes.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret pricing, spend and market information.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving.
- Good Microsoft Excel skills and experience using ERP/procurement systems.
- Desirable
- CIPS qualification or working towards CIPS.
- Experience within a bakery, food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
- Knowledge of flexible packaging, cartons, labels, films, trays, cases or other food packaging formats.
- Understanding of packaging legislation, food-contact requirements and sustainability considerations.
- Experience supporting NPD and packaging innovation projects.
Procurement - Group Buyer employer: Finsbury Food Group
As a Technical Lead at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that prioritises food safety and quality while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a collaborative atmosphere where your leadership will directly impact our success. Join us in a location that values innovation and excellence, ensuring you have the resources and support to excel in your role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement - Group Buyer
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Finsbury Food Group.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement - Group Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Finsbury Food Group:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Finsbury Food Group. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Finsbury Food Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Finsbury Food Group
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Finsbury Food Group!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Finsbury Food Group. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Finsbury Food Group's culture.
