At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global fruit sourcing strategy and ensure sustainable supply of raw materials.
- Company: A leading Ingredients business focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a team committed to responsible sourcing and reducing environmental impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while working with diverse suppliers globally.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in strategic procurement with strong negotiation and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
A leading Ingredients business are looking to strengthen their Procurement team by recruiting a Head of Purchasing.
About the Opportunity: We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded Head of Purchasing
Raw Materials to help lead the global fruit sourcing strategy and ensure a sustainable, cost-effective, and high-quality supply of raw fruit for manufacturing operations across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
This is a highly visible procurement role for an experienced agricultural sourcing professional who understands fruit and commodity markets, builds strong supplier partnerships, and can translate market intelligence into practical business decisions.
Reporting to the Global Purchasing Director, you will work closely with suppliers, growers, cooperatives, processors, and internal teams to protect supply continuity, manage risk, support innovation, and deliver long-term commercial value.
What Youll Do Develop and execute multi-year fruit sourcing strategies aligned with growth plans, customer needs, and global manufacturing requirements.
Build diversified sourcing models across key growing regions to improve resilience, reduce risk, and support reliable supply.
Negotiate annual and multi-year purchasing agreements covering pricing, volumes, quality specifications, service levels, payment terms, and long-term supply commitments.
Strengthen relationships with growers, cooperatives, processors, brokers, and suppliers through regular engagement, supplier reviews, and performance management.
Monitor crop forecasts, weather events, climate impacts, market pricing, freight trends, currency movement, geopolitical risks, and competitor sourcing activity.
Provide sourcing recommendations and executive-level updates based on market intelligence, commodity trends, and supply chain risk.
Deliver commercial value through procurement savings, total cost improvements, supplier development, and budget/forecast management.
Support innovation by identifying new fruit varieties, emerging regions, and alternative sourcing opportunities.
Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Sales, Product Development, Finance, Quality/Technical, and Sustainability teams to align sourcing plans with business priorities.
Advance responsible sourcing, ethical supplier partnerships, transparency, and reduced environmental impact across the supply chain.
About You Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Agriculture, Business, Food Science, Economics, or a related field. 810+ years of strategic procurement experience, including significant experience purchasing agricultural commodities and/or fruit.
Proven international sourcing experience and ability to manage complex supplier networks across multiple regions.
Strong negotiation experience, including high-value purchasing agreements and commodity cost management.
Strong financial, commercial, analytical, and forecasting skills, including budget, shipment schedule, and procurement performance analysis.
Knowledge of agricultural markets, fruit growing cycles, crop forecasting, international trade, contract negotiation, supplier management, inventory planning, and risk management.
Clear communication skills and the ability to influence senior leaders, suppliers, and cross-functional partners.
TPBN1_UKTJ
Head of Procurement in Kingston upon Hull employer: Paragon Talent Ltd
As a leading Ingredients business, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Our employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive compensation packages, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in sustainable sourcing practices across global markets. Join us in a role that not only challenges you but also allows you to contribute to responsible sourcing and ethical partnerships in a vibrant international environment.
