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- Tasks: Lead the buying strategy for protein categories, focusing on poultry procurement.
- Company: Join a top UK food manufacturer known for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy career development, autonomy, and a collaborative team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while honing your procurement skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in food procurement, strong negotiation skills, and ideally a degree or CIPS qualification.
- Other info: Flexibility to travel and work in a chilled environment is required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a commercially astute buyer with a passion for sourcing top-quality products and driving performance in a fast-paced, chilled food environment? A leading national food manufacturer and supplier is seeking a Category Buyer to take ownership of their protein procurement, with a particular focus on poultry, and play a vital role in supporting both operational excellence and strategic growth.
Your Responsibilities
- Take charge of the end-to-end buying strategy for key protein categories, aligning supplier partnerships with changing business needs.
- Negotiate directly with suppliers on pricing, volume, and product specifications – ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with supply chain, planning, and operations teams to manage supplier performance and uphold service level agreements.
- Be the market expert in your category – monitoring trends, assessing risks, and presenting clear insights to both internal stakeholders and customers.
- Support tender processes by delivering timely, accurate forecasts and forward pricing indications.
- Maintain accurate supplier pricing data and oversee the seamless administration of cost updates.
- Identify and manage risks in the supply chain, ensuring consistent product availability.
Skills & Experience Required
- Experience in food procurement – ideally in poultry or chilled/fresh categories.
- Strong negotiation skills with a keen understanding of product and material costing.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and ERP systems.
- A proactive, solutions-driven mindset with the ability to prioritise under pressure.
- Comfortable working in a chilled environment and engaging with suppliers both in the UK and abroad.
- A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel when required.
- Ideally, degree-level education or CIPS qualification.
- Background in fresh meat or poultry supply is highly advantageous.
In Return
- The opportunity to develop your career with one of the UK’s most respected food suppliers.
- A role that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to make a measurable impact across the business.
- Be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Apply today to take the next step in your career as a strategic procurement specialist in the dynamic world of protein sourcing!
Category Buyer employer: JR United Kingdom
Contact Detail:
JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the poultry and chilled food markets. Understanding current market dynamics will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food procurement industry, especially those with experience in poultry. Engaging with industry experts can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your negotiation successes in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to secure favourable terms while maintaining quality will showcase your suitability for the Category Buyer position.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems by being ready to discuss how you've used these tools to enhance procurement processes in past positions. This will show that you're equipped to handle the technical aspects of the job.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food procurement, particularly in poultry or chilled categories. Use specific examples to demonstrate your negotiation skills and understanding of product costing.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for sourcing quality products and your proactive mindset. Mention how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Category Buyer role and express your enthusiasm for contributing to the company's growth.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your proficiency in Microsoft Office and any ERP systems you have used. Discuss your ability to manage supplier performance and uphold service level agreements, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Market Knowledge: Demonstrate your expertise in the protein category by mentioning any trends or insights you have observed in the market. This will show your potential employer that you are not only qualified but also engaged and informed about the industry.
How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom
✨Showcase Your Procurement Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in food procurement, especially in poultry or chilled categories. Highlight specific examples where you successfully negotiated with suppliers or improved procurement processes.
✨Demonstrate Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is a key part of the role, practice articulating your negotiation strategies. Be ready to share instances where you achieved cost savings or enhanced supplier relationships through effective negotiation.
✨Understand Market Trends
Research current trends in the protein market, particularly in poultry. Being able to discuss these trends and how they impact procurement will show your market expertise and proactive mindset.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think about how you have worked with other teams in the past, such as supply chain or operations. Be ready to provide examples of how you managed supplier performance and upheld service level agreements in collaboration with these teams.
