At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and purchase materials while ensuring stock availability and supplier performance.
- Company: Join a growing food manufacturing business in South East London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £40,000 and long-term development opportunities.
- Other info: Proactive role with opportunities for career growth in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in purchasing and supplier management within a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying or supply chain and fluent Mandarin skills required.
Location: Erith / Belvedere, South East London
Salary: Up to £40,000, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: Monday to Friday
Working Pattern: Office based
We are recruiting for a proactive and commercially minded Mandarin-Speaking Buyer to join a growing food manufacturing business based in South East London. This is a hands-on purchasing role supporting a busy production environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing and purchasing raw materials, ingredients, packaging and production consumables, ensuring stock availability, supplier performance and cost control across the business.
This role would suit someone with experience in purchasing, procurement, sourcing, supply chain or buying, ideally from a food, FMCG, manufacturing, import/export, wholesale or international supply chain background.
The Role
- Purchasing raw materials, ingredients, packaging and production consumables in line with production requirements
- Raising, managing and tracking purchase orders
- Liaising with suppliers regarding prices, delivery schedules, shortages, delays and quality issues
- Sourcing and assessing new suppliers, including international suppliers where required
- Monitoring stock levels to help prevent shortages and production disruption
- Supporting cost-saving activity through price comparisons, supplier negotiation and market awareness
- Maintaining accurate supplier records, pricing data, purchase information and cost reports
- Working closely with production, warehouse, quality and finance teams
- Supporting new product launches through sourcing of new ingredients, products or packaging
- Ensuring purchasing activity supports traceability, audit and food safety requirements
What We're Looking For
- Previous experience in buying, purchasing, procurement, sourcing or supply chain
- Fluent Mandarin / Chinese language skills, alongside strong English communication
- Experience within food, FMCG, manufacturing, wholesale, import/export, packaging or ingredients would be highly beneficial
- Confident supplier communication and negotiation skills
- Good Excel and data management skills
- SAP or ERP system experience would be advantageous
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- A proactive, practical approach and the confidence to chase suppliers and resolve issues
- Comfortable working in an office and factory-based environment
Why Apply?
This is a great opportunity to join a growing manufacturing business where you can make a real impact across purchasing, supplier management, stock control and production support. The role offers long-term development opportunities within purchasing, supply chain, production planning and operations.
Buyer in Erith employer: Major Recruitment North West Perms
Join a dynamic and expanding food manufacturing business in South East London as a Mandarin-Speaking Buyer, where your contributions will directly influence purchasing strategies and supplier relationships. Enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth, offering long-term development opportunities in procurement and supply chain management. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, this role provides a unique chance to thrive in a hands-on environment while making a meaningful impact on the company's success.
Contact Details:
Major Recruitment North West Perms Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in Erith
✨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 Major Recruitment North West Perms.
✨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 in Erith
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 Major Recruitment North West Perms:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Major Recruitment North West Perms. 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 Major Recruitment North West Perms.
How to prepare for a job interview at Major Recruitment North West Perms
✨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 Major Recruitment North West Perms!
✨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 Major Recruitment North West Perms. 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 Major Recruitment North West Perms's culture.
