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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and procurement of innovative food ingredients for exciting new products.
- Company: Join a dynamic FMCG company focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry by sourcing cutting-edge ingredients.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in food ingredients procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work cross-functionally and travel regularly.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Main Purpose of Job
To lead and manage the strategic sourcing, procurement, and development of designated Ingredient categories across the Group, including full ownership of sourcing and approval of all new ingredients for NPD and innovation projects. The role is responsible for delivering a cost-effective, innovative, sustainable and secure ingredient supply base aligned to business growth, operational, commercial and quality objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Category Strategy & Ownership
- Develop and implement clear category strategies including supplier, market and supply chain analysis.
- Lead strategic sourcing activity for designated ingredient categories.
- Align supply base with ethical, environmental, regulatory and sustainability policies.
- Implement appropriate price risk management strategies for commodity-based materials.
- NPD & Innovation Sourcing
- Lead the sourcing, approval and commercial negotiation of all new ingredients required for NPD, innovation and reformulation projects.
- Work closely with NPD, Technical, Operations and Commercial teams to ensure timely and compliant ingredient approval.
- Identify and introduce innovative suppliers and materials to support product development pipeline.
- Ensure new ingredients meet cost, quality, safety, regulatory and sustainability requirements prior to approval.
- Support value engineering (VE) and value analysis (VA) initiatives through alternative ingredient sourcing.
- Supplier Management & Development
- Conduct regular structured supplier reviews including performance, quality, cost and innovation metrics.
- Lead joint development initiatives with key suppliers.
- Drive continuous improvement (CI) activity within the supply base.
- Establish contingency and dual-sourcing strategies for critical materials.
- Support resolution of non-conformance and supplier corrective action plans.
- Commercial & Cost Management
- Deliver annual cost reduction targets and maintain a live cost-saving pipeline.
- Lead contract negotiations, renewals and tender processes using best practice techniques.
- Monitor and report monthly on PPV with corrective action plans.
- Provide accurate pricing forecasts and cost movement analysis to Commercial teams.
- Maintain accurate planning and financial information for assigned categories.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Partner cross-functionally with Innovation, NPD, Operations, Finance, Sales and Supply Chain.
- Support Head of Procurement when required.
- Provide timely communication on supply risks and price movements.
- Quality Management Responsibilities
- Ensure ingredient quality is delivered through robust supply chain management.
- Drive supplier compliance to food safety, regulatory and ethical standards.
- Support internal audits and supplier technical reviews.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential level of knowledge, qualification, training and experience necessary to enable the Jobholder to perform the job to an acceptable standard.
- Qualifications and Experience
- Minimum 3+ years’ experience in Food Ingredients procurement within FMCG or similar.
- Proven supplier negotiation experience.
- Experience supporting NPD ingredient sourcing and approval.
- Strong commercial and analytical capability.
- Track record delivering cost savings and category improvements.
- Desirable
- Category-led procurement experience.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards).
- Degree-level education.
- CI training (Lean/Six Sigma).
- Strong understanding of food ingredient materials and processes.
Skills and Attributes
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Excellent influencing skills at all levels.
- Ability to operate independently and strategically.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
- Effective cross-functional communicator.
- Willingness to travel regularly.
Category Buyer (Ingredients) in Erith employer: Oscar Mayer Group UK
Contact Detail:
Oscar Mayer Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer (Ingredients) in Erith
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant 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 values. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around sustainability and innovation in ingredient sourcing.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to show your enthusiasm for joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer (Ingredients) in Erith
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Buyer role. Highlight your experience in food ingredients procurement and any relevant achievements. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about sourcing and procurement, and how you can contribute to our innovative projects. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Include specific examples of cost savings or successful supplier negotiations. We love seeing how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oscar Mayer Group UK
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of food ingredients and their procurement processes. Familiarise yourself with current trends in sustainability and innovation within the industry. This will not only show your passion for the role but also demonstrate that you’re proactive and well-informed.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific scenarios related to supplier negotiations or sourcing challenges. Prepare examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since strong analytical capability is essential for this role, be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous positions. Bring examples of how you’ve delivered cost savings or improved category performance through analysis, as this will highlight your commercial acumen.
✨Engage Cross-Functionally
This role requires collaboration with various teams, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked cross-functionally in the past. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you’ve partnered with teams like NPD or Operations to achieve common goals.