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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategy, manage supplier relationships, and optimise costs in a dynamic food retail environment.
- Company: Join a leading food/retail business in Shropshire, known for its ambitious growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, strong team collaboration, and the chance to shape a key function.
- Why this job: This role offers autonomy, visibility with senior leadership, and the opportunity to make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior buying roles, strong negotiation skills, and familiarity with procurement systems required.
- Other info: MCIPS qualification preferred; this is a full-time, office-based position.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Shropshire, UK
Salary: Up to £100,000 per annum
Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent
We’re working exclusively with a leading food/retail business based near Shropshire to recruit a Head of Buying — a newly created role offering real scope to shape strategy, streamline operations, and lead a growing procurement function. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially-minded procurement leader with deep expertise in food, FMCG, or retail sectors to join a thriving and ambitious organisation during a key phase of growth.
The Role
The Head of Buying will be responsible for the full procurement life-cycle, from sourcing and supplier management to contract negotiation, compliance, and cost optimisation. This role is pivotal in ensuring consistent supply, commercial agility, and operational excellence across the business. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders and manage a dedicated buying team, with a focus on food ingredients, packaging, and operational goods.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and implement a strategic buying road map aligned with business objectives
- Lead supplier sourcing, contract negotiations, and relationship management
- Drive cost savings, improve supplier performance, and mitigate supply chain risks
- Ensure compliance with food safety, ethical sourcing, and regulatory standards
- Deliver buying reporting and KPIs to the executive team
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, and Product teams
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience in a senior buying role within food manufacturing, FMCG, or retail
- Strong track record of commercial negotiations and supplier performance management
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to influence at all levels
- Strategic mindset with excellent analytical and decision-making skills
- Familiarity with ERP/procurement systems and data-driven reporting
- MCIPS-qualified or working towards (preferred)
What’s on Offer
- Salary up to £100,000 per annum, plus benefits
- Office-based role with strong team collaboration
- Opportunity to lead and scale a function in a fast-moving business
- High level of autonomy and visibility with senior leadership
Next Steps
If you’re an experienced procurement leader ready for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Buying - FMCG employer: FMCG Exec
Contact Detail:
FMCG Exec Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Buying - FMCG
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the FMCG and retail sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in procurement and supply chain management within the food sector. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and innovations will help you stand out during discussions with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your strategic vision for the buying function. Think about how you would approach supplier relationships, cost optimisation, and compliance, as these are key responsibilities of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's values and mission. Tailoring your conversations to align with their goals will demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying - FMCG
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, particularly within the food, FMCG, or retail sectors. Use specific examples of your achievements in supplier management and cost optimisation to demonstrate your expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that outlines your strategic vision for the Head of Buying role. Discuss how your leadership style and analytical skills can contribute to the company's growth and operational excellence.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have MCIPS qualifications or are working towards them, be sure to mention this prominently. Also, include any experience with ERP/procurement systems, as this is a key requirement for the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Experience: In your application, emphasise your hands-on leadership style and ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven performance improvements in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at FMCG Exec
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Before your interview, research the company’s position in the food and retail sector. Familiarise yourself with their products, market trends, and competitors. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic mindset and how you can contribute to their growth.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you employed to achieve cost savings or improve supplier performance. This will highlight your hands-on leadership style and commercial acumen.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Ethical Sourcing
Given the importance of food safety and ethical sourcing in this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with compliance standards. Share how you've ensured adherence to regulations and how you’ve managed risks in the supply chain.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with different departments such as Operations, Finance, and Product teams. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated to achieve common goals, showcasing your ability to influence at all levels within an organisation.
