At a Glance
- Tasks: Source materials, build supplier relationships, and drive purchasing stability in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Company: Established manufacturer in North Essex with a growing procurement team.
- Benefits: Up to £45k salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a transforming procurement function with ownership and growth potential.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement or supply chain, strong negotiation skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Other info: Supportive environment with exposure to strategic procurement and international suppliers.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 54000 £ per year.
Are you an ambitious Buyer ready to step up into a role with real ownership, influence, and strategic impact? Do you want to join a growing procurement team where you’ll help shape the future, build supplier relationships, and drive purchasing stability across a fast-paced FMCG supply chain?
An established and expanding manufacturer in North Essex is seeking a Buyer to join their procurement function at a pivotal time. Following strong business growth and recent team expansion, our client is investing further to strengthen their purchasing capability and support long-term strategic development. This is an ideal next step for a driven Buyer or Purchasing professional seeking more responsibility, exposure to commodity markets, and the opportunity to impact margin, supply assurance, and procurement strategy directly.
What you’ll be doing:
- Sourcing raw materials and packaging to agreed specifications.
- Building long-term supplier relationships to ensure quality, cost effectiveness & reliability.
- Negotiating pricing, contracts & commercial terms, including hedging linked to commodity markets and currency movements.
- Monitoring supplier performance using data tools & market benchmarks.
- Managing supply continuity, risks, quality issues and non-conformance.
- Supporting NPD sourcing requirements.
- Working closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Technical & Quality.
- Driving procurement workflow and system improvements.
- Maintaining accurate supplier data, ensuring compliance, and managing procurement risk.
- Occasional travel to suppliers and countries of origin.
What you’ll bring:
- Experience in procurement, buying, purchasing, or supply chain (ideally manufacturing or FMCG).
- Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
- Understanding of procurement processes, risk, compliance & market data.
- Experience using procurement/ERP systems (Mintec advantageous).
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
- Excellent communication & stakeholder management.
- International supplier experience is a strong advantage.
- Willingness to travel when required.
What’s on offer:
- Up to £45k salary.
- Hybrid working: 3 days office / 2 days from home.
- Growing team with real opportunities for development.
- Supportive environment with exposure to strategic procurement.
- A chance to make a visible impact in a transforming procurement function.
If you’re a proactive, commercially minded Purchasing Manager or Buyer looking for the next step in your career — with real ownership, growth potential and variety — this could be the perfect opportunity. Interested? Apply now or message directly for a confidential conversation.
Buyer - Consumer Goods in Sheffield employer: Illuminate Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Illuminate Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer - Consumer Goods in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their growth and success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Buyer, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer - Consumer Goods in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in FMCG or manufacturing, and showcase your negotiation skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built supplier relationships or driven purchasing stability in the past. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since monitoring supplier performance is key, mention any experience you have with data tools or market benchmarks. If you've used procurement or ERP systems like Mintec, shout about it! We love candidates who can leverage data for better decision-making.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Illuminate Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buyer in the FMCG sector, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of market data and pricing strategies. Brush up on recent trends in commodity markets and be ready to discuss how you've used data tools in past roles to drive purchasing decisions.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of successful negotiations you've led. Think about specific instances where you secured better pricing or terms with suppliers. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the responsibilities of the role and make a real impact.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since supplier relationships are key in this role, practice building rapport during your interview. Be personable and engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their experiences and challenges in procurement to show your interest in the team dynamics.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you would approach sourcing raw materials and managing supply risks. Think strategically about how you can contribute to the company's long-term goals and be ready to share your ideas on improving procurement processes.