At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead purchasing activities and develop strategies for a growing horticultural business.
- Company: Dynamic horticultural company supplying major UK retailers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape a new role.
- Other info: Join a successful team and build long-term supplier partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a newly created leadership position.
- Qualifications: Experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management.
A unique opportunity to shape a newly created leadership role. Our client is a highly successful and growing horticultural business supplying major UK retailers. As part of its continued growth and investment, the business is creating a brand-new Planning & Purchasing Manager position to strengthen its supply chain and support the next phase of development.
This is a highly visible role, responsible for ensuring the business has the right materials, from the right suppliers, at the right time, to deliver customer commitments. Working closely with the Commercial and Growing teams, you'll play a pivotal role in translating customer demand into effective purchasing plans that enable successful crop production.
The Role
Leading a team of 2-3 direct reports, you will take ownership of all purchasing activities across the horticultural division. While demand forecasting is managed by the Commercial team, you will convert forecasts into purchasing plans, ensuring all materials and inputs are sourced and available to meet production schedules. Working closely with the Growing, Commercial and Operations teams, you will ensure purchasing activities are aligned with production requirements and customer demand. Alongside managing day-to-day procurement, you'll build stronger, longer-term supplier partnerships, moving away from transactional buying towards strategic agreements that deliver value, security of supply and improved commercial performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop a team of 2-3 Planning and Purchasing professionals.
- Manage relationships with approximately 10 key strategic suppliers, alongside a wider network of smaller UK and European suppliers.
- Develop purchasing strategies that support business growth and improve supply continuity.
- Negotiate pricing, contracts and establish long-term supplier agreements.
- Source seeds, bulbs, plants, growing media, packaging and other horticultural inputs.
- Work collaboratively with Commercial, Growing and Operations teams to ensure materials are available in line with production plans.
- Monitor supplier performance, quality, service and cost.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve efficiencies without compromising quality or continuity of supply.
- Manage purchasing risks and develop contingency plans where appropriate.
- Drive continuous improvement across planning and procurement processes.
About You
We're looking for an experienced Purchasing, Procurement or Supply Chain professional who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment. You'll be a confident people leader with experience developing teams, building strong supplier relationships and working collaboratively across multiple business functions.
You’ll ideally have:
- Previous experience in a Purchasing, Procurement or Supply Chain management role.
- Proven people management experience.
- Strong supplier negotiation and contract management skills.
- Experience developing strategic supplier partnerships and long-term supply agreements.
- The ability to work cross-functionally with Commercial, Production and Operations teams.
- Excellent planning, organisational and communication skills.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience within horticulture, agriculture, fresh produce, food manufacturing or another seasonal supply chain environment would be advantageous. However, candidates from manufacturing or FMCG businesses with strong purchasing and supplier management experience are also encouraged to apply.
The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to join a successful business at an exciting stage of its growth. As this is a newly created role, you'll have the chance to shape the purchasing function, influence procurement strategy and build long-term supplier partnerships that will directly support the continued success of the business.
If you're an experienced Purchasing or Procurement leader looking for a role where you can make a genuine commercial impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Planinng & Purchasing Manager
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Huntress.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Huntress.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Huntress; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Planinng & Purchasing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Huntress.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Planinng & Purchasing Manager.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Huntress is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Huntress a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Huntress
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Huntress might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
