At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and support sourcing for ingredients in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.
- Company: Leading UK food manufacturer focused on innovation and procurement excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, double pension, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career progression and skill development.
- Why this job: Gain valuable category buying experience and develop your procurement skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or sourcing, with strong analytical and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
A strong opportunity for an ambitious direct procurement professional to build category buying experience with a leading UK food manufacturer.
This is a great opportunity to join a leading UK food manufacturer in a Category Buyer role focused on ingredients and raw materials. The business is strengthening its procurement function and investing in capability at Buyer level, creating a strong development opportunity for someone who wants to build broader category management experience.
You'll support sourcing activity across defined ingredient spend areas, working closely with senior procurement colleagues, suppliers and internal stakeholders. The role will involve RFx activity, supplier engagement, contract support, data analysis, reporting and commercial follow-through. The category scope can be shaped around experience, but could include areas such as sugar, chocolate, cocoa, premixes, additives or flavourings.
Key Responsibilities- Running RFx events and tenders in line with category sourcing plans
- Managing supplier communication, bid processes, clarifications and timelines
- Supporting category plans through analysis, reporting and commercial insight
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating simple to medium-complexity commercial agreements
- Tracking supplier performance, savings, risk, compliance and improvement activity
- Working with stakeholders to understand requirements and challenge assumptions with data
- Maintaining accurate supplier, contract, pricing and procurement records
This role would suit someone with procurement, sourcing or commercial operations experience who is ready to step into a broader category buying role. You'll need to be organised, analytical and confident working with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing or another fast-paced environment would be useful, but the key requirement is strong sourcing discipline, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Direct procurement, raw materials or ingredients experience would be particularly relevant.
This is a strong development role for someone who wants more category exposure, not just a narrow buying position. You'll be joining a recognised food manufacturing environment with investment in procurement capability, digital tools, analytics and supplier management. There is scope to build technical procurement skills, develop commercial confidence and progress towards broader category management responsibility.
The package includes a salary of £42,000-£48,000, bonus opportunity and a strong wider benefits package. If you're interested in learning more, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation.
Category Buyer - Ingredients / Raw Materials employer: Henderson Brown Recruitment
Henderson Brown Recruitment is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Portsmouth that values flexibility and competitive pay for its Multi Skilled Maintenance Engineer role. With a strong focus on employee growth and development within the FMCG sector, the company fosters a collaborative culture where innovative ideas are encouraged, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
Contact Details:
Henderson Brown Recruitment Recruitment Team
