Procurement Manager in Essex

Maldon Salt is a fourth-generation family-owned business with almost 145 years of craftsmanship at its heart. Our unique pyramid shaped sea salt flakes have been hand-harvested using the same traditional methods since 1882 and are recognised globally as the finest of sea salts, exporting to over 60 countries worldwide. Trusted by chefs and cooks around the world and recognised by the Royal Household, we have proudly held the Royal Warrant as official purveyors of sea salt since 2012.

Today, Maldon Salt combines this unique heritage with innovation—remaining true to our roots whilst inspiring new generations of food lovers with an expanding portfolio of salts and seasonings..

As a business, we take our corporate social responsibility to our customers, partners, and our ourselves seriously, continually seeking ways to reduce our environmental impact. This includes initiatives such as lowering carbon emissions and using carbon-balanced packaging. In partnership with the World Land Trust, Maldon Salt supports global conservation efforts, helping protect threatened habitats and wildlife with every box produced. This ongoing commitment reflects our dedication to global environmental sustainability and responsible business practice s.

Location Essex, England Vacancy Type Full Time / Permanent Application Deadline Sunday, December 6, 2026

About the Organisation

Maldon Salt is a fourth-generation family-owned business with almost 145 years of craftsmanship at its heart. Our unique pyramid shaped sea salt flakes have been hand-harvested using the same traditional methods since 1882 and are recognised globally as the finest of sea salts, exporting to over 60 countries worldwide. Trusted by chefs and cooks around the world and recognised by the Royal Household, we have proudly held the Royal Warrant as official purveyors of sea salt since 2012.

Today, Maldon Salt combines this unique heritage with innovation—remaining true to our roots whilst inspiring new generations of food lovers with an expanding portfolio of salts and seasonings..

As a business, we take our corporate social responsibility to our customers, partners, and our ourselves seriously, continually seeking ways to reduce our environmental impact. This includes initiatives such as lowering carbon emissions and using carbon-balanced packaging. In partnership with the World Land Trust, Maldon Salt supports global conservation efforts, helping protect threatened habitats and wildlife with every box produced. This ongoing commitment reflects our dedication to global environmental sustainability and responsible business practice s.

Job Summary

The Procurement Manager will work as an integral member of the Planning and Procurement Department, leading Maldon Salt’s procurement activities across raw materials, packaging, ingredients, indirect goods and services. The role is responsible for developing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, controlling costs and ensuring continuity of supply. The Procurement Manager will work closely with the Supply Planning Manager and the wider Planning team, providing procurement support and insight while also receiving planning support, demand information and operational input from the same team. Working collaboratively with Planning, Operations, Technical, Quality, NPD, Finance and Commercial teams, the role will deliver sustainable value, strengthen supplier performance and reduce supply risk while maintaining quality, service and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Strategy and Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business objectives and supply chain requirements.
• Lead sourcing activities across raw materials, packaging, ingredients, indirect goods and services.
• Conduct supplier tenders, evaluations and negotiations to secure the best overall value, quality and service.
• Monitor commodity, packaging and market trends to identify cost, availability and supply-risk implications.
• Identify and qualify alternative suppliers to improve competitiveness and supply resilience.
• Maintain clear sourcing plans, commercial records and decision trails for key categories and projects.

Supplier Relationship and Performance Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships with key suppliers and strategic partners.
• Establish supplier performance measures covering cost, quality, service, delivery, innovation and compliance.
• Lead regular supplier reviews and ensure corrective actions are agreed, owned and completed.
• Work with suppliers to improve capability, service, innovation and long‑term value.
• Support the approval and onboarding of new suppliers in partnership with Technical, Quality and other stakeholders.

Cost Management and Value Creation

• Deliver procurement savings, cost-avoidance and value-improvement targets.
• Analyse supplier pricing, cost drivers and market data to support negotiations and commercial decisions.
• Challenge supplier cost increases through robust analysis, benchmarking and negotiation.
• Partner with Finance to support budgets, forecasts, purchase-price analysis and cost reporting.
• Lead value-engineering and specification-review opportunities without compromising quality, safety or customer requirements.

Supply Risk and Business Continuity

• Identify and manage risks relating to supplier performance, capacity, logistics, material availability, financial stability and market volatility.
• Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical materials and services.
• Work closely with Planning to ensure suppliers understand demand, lead‑time and service requirements.
• Escalate significant supply risks promptly and coordinate recovery actions with relevant teams.
• Maintain appropriate supplier and category risk assessments.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work as part of the Planning and Procurement Department, collaborating closely with the Supply Planning Manager and the wider Planning team.
• Support new product development, packaging changes and business projects through timely sourcing and supplier engagement.
• Provide procurement input into S&OP, budgeting and operational planning where required.
• Provide procurement support to the Planning team and draw on the team’s planning expertise, forecasts and operational insight to make aligned decisions.
• Work with the Supply Planning Manager as one team to resolve material constraints, supplier issues and supply risks, sharing information and supporting each other’s priorities.
• Provide cover for and assist the Supply Planning Manager where required, helping maintain continuity of planning activities and operational support.

Contracts, Governance and Compliance

• Lead commercial negotiations and manage supplier contracts, terms and renewals.
• Ensure procurement activities follow company policies, delegated authorities and agreed governance.
• Maintain accurate supplier contracts, pricing records, specifications and procurement documentation.
• Support ethical sourcing, sustainability and responsible procurement initiatives.
• Ensure suppliers meet relevant food safety, quality, legal, environmental and regulatory requirements in partnership with the appropriate functions.

Reporting, Systems and Continuous Improvement

• Prepare and present procurement reports, savings updates, supplier performance information and risk summaries.
• Maintain accurate supplier, pricing and purchasing data in Sage X3 and approved business systems.
• Use Excel, Power BI and other tools to analyse spend, supplier performance and procurement opportunities.
• Improve procurement processes, controls, reporting and ways of working.
• Promote a safe, collaborative and continuous‑improvement culture and undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• At least three years’ experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management or supplier management, preferably within FMCG, food manufacturing or a comparable manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading supplier negotiations, tenders and contract management activities.
• Strong commercial and analytical skills with the ability to interpret cost drivers, market information and spend data.
• Demonstrable experience delivering savings, cost avoidance and value‑improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing supplier performance, supply risk and business‑continuity actions.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Strong organisation, prioritisation and attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience using ERP or purchasing systems.

Desirable

• Experience procuring food ingredients, raw materials, packaging, logistics or indirect services.
• Experience with Sage X3, SAP or a similar ERP system.
• Experience using Power BI or another data-visualisation tool.
• Knowledge of food safety, supplier assurance, ethical sourcing and sustainability requirements.
• Experience supporting new product development and packaging-change projects.
• Line‑management or procurement‑team development experience.

Key Behaviours & Attributes

• Commercially astute and confident making evidence-based decisions.
• Constructive and resilient negotiator who protects long‑term business value.
• Collaborative and able to build trusted relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and accountable for delivering commitments to agreed deadlines.
• Clear and concise communicator who can explain risks, options and recommendations.
• Practical, solutions‑focused and committed to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates alignment with Maldon Salt’s values and contributes positively to the workplace culture.

Qualifications

• CIPS qualification, or actively working towards a recognised CIPS qualification, is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business, Economics or a related subject, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Hours

• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 28 days with length of service (plus bank holidays)
• 1 week company sick pay after successful probationary period, increasing to 3-weeks Company Sick Pay (after 12 months service)
• Income protection (after 3 months service), payable at 75% of basic salary, for up to 5 years (subject to approved claim by insurance provider)
• Life Assurance (4 x basic annual salary, after 6 months service)
• Private Medical Insurance (after 6 months service), with option to self-fund partner/child/children
• Enhanced Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme (4% matched contributions)
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts to high street retailers
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company Events
• Christmas Shutdown
• Free tea and coffee

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