At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead purchasing, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost-saving initiatives in food manufacturing.
- Company: Join a respected and growing food manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to influence purchasing strategy.
- Other info: Opportunity to work cross-functionally and develop your career in a fast-paced industry.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while collaborating with a supportive leadership team.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for food manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 62000 £ per year.
Starting Salary: £55,000 - £62,000 base salary
Location: London
Monday - Friday | Site Based
We're working with a long-established and highly respected food manufacturer to recruit an experienced Senior Buyer. This is an exciting opportunity to join a business that has built an outstanding reputation within the food manufacturing industry through quality, innovation and continued investment. Supplying products to customers across the UK and internationally recognised, the business continues to grow and is now looking for a commercially minded procurement professional to take ownership of its purchasing function.
Working closely with the Financial Controller and senior leadership team, you'll play a key role in ensuring materials, ingredients and services are sourced competitively while maintaining exceptional quality, supplier relationships and continuity of supply.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll oversee purchasing, stock control and warehouse operations, whilst managing supplier relationships and identifying opportunities to improve cost, efficiency and service levels across the business. You'll collaborate closely with Operations, Technical, Engineering, Sales and Finance to ensure the business continues to operate efficiently within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the purchasing function across raw materials, packaging and services
- Source, negotiate and manage supplier agreements to achieve the best commercial outcomes
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or service
- Build long-term supplier partnerships and manage supplier performance
- Monitor market trends, pricing and supply risks
- Maintain stock availability whilst managing inventory levels and cash flow
- Prepare purchase orders and manage procurement reporting
- Lead and develop the Buying and Warehouse teams
- Work cross-functionally with Operations, Technical, Engineering and Sales to support business performance
- Drive continuous improvement across procurement and warehouse operations
About You
We're looking for an experienced procurement professional who enjoys building supplier relationships, negotiating commercially and working within a fast-moving manufacturing environment. You'll ideally have:
- Previous buying or procurement experience within food manufacturing
- Experience leading or mentoring a purchasing team
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills
- Commercial awareness with a proven track record of delivering cost savings
- Experience managing stock levels and supply continuity
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Strong Excel skills (SAP experience would be advantageous)
- CIPS qualification (or working towards) would be beneficial
What's on Offer
- Join a well-established and continually growing food manufacturer
- Opportunity to progress your career as the business continues to expand
- Genuine opportunity to influence purchasing strategy
- Work alongside an experienced and supportive leadership team
- A varied role with responsibility across procurement, supplier management and warehouse operations
- Competitive salary package depending on experience
If you're an experienced Buyer or Senior Buyer looking to make a real impact within a growing food manufacturing business, we'd love to hear from you.
Buyer / Senior Buyer / Procurement in London employer: Found Food & Drink
Join a well-respected food manufacturer in London that prioritises quality and innovation, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly influence purchasing strategies. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to develop your career alongside a supportive leadership team while enjoying competitive salary packages and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer / Senior Buyer / Procurement in London
✨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 Found Food & Drink.
✨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 Buyer / Senior Buyer / Procurement in London
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 Found Food & Drink:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Found Food & Drink. 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 Found Food & Drink.
How to prepare for a job interview at Found Food & Drink
✨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 Found Food & Drink!
✨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 Found Food & Drink. 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 Found Food & Drink's culture.
