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- Tasks: Lead strategic procurement and build supplier relationships in the food sector.
- Company: Join a multiple award-winning leader in the retail food industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, medical cover, and remote work on Fridays.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-growing company with clear career progression into leadership roles.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in procurement, ideally in food or retail, with strong negotiation skills.
- Other info: Based in Surrey, with a focus on ethical and sustainable sourcing practices.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
Procurement Heads’ Consumer team are seeking an experienced Senior Buyer to join a multiple award winning organisation that is one of the leaders in the retail food sector with recognisable products on the shelves of major retailers.
This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and ambitious Senior Buyer with strong food procurement experience, ideally from a retail or FMCG background. The business is entering a new phase of growth, and this role has been designed with succession into the Head of Procurement firmly in mind.
Based in Surrey office (Minutes from Junction 8 of the M25)
Monday–Thursday on site with Friday work from home.
The ideal Senior Buyer will have significant experience in strategic procurement, working with international food suppliers, negotiating complex deals, and leading or mentoring teams. This is a highly commercial role, and we\’re looking for someone ready to step into leadership over time.
This organisation is a fast-growing player in the food and beverage sector, supplying a diverse range of products to well-known UK retailers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Procurement: Source and purchase from international manufacturers. Work with an established supply base while identifying, reviewing, and onboarding new suppliers.
- Supplier Relationships: Build and maintain strong partnerships to ensure quality, innovation, and continuity of supply.
- Supply Chain Resilience: Anticipate potential issues and develop strategic solutions to mitigate risk.
- Market Intelligence: Monitor global food market trends and pricing to inform buying strategy and commercial decisions.
- Inventory Management: Ensure optimal stock levels to balance availability with waste reduction.
- Compliance: Ensure procurement activity complies with industry standards, ethical practices, and internal policies.
- Reporting: Produce regular insights on procurement performance, supplier metrics, and category trends.
- Leadership: Support or manage junior team members; contribute to procurement capability development across the team.
Required Experience of the Senior Buyer:
- Experience: Minimum 3 years in procurement, ideally in food or retail sectors, with a proven ability to manage international supply relationships.
- Strategic Skills: Strong understanding of commercial negotiation, global sourcing, and supply chain planning.
- Leadership Potential: Previous team management or mentoring experience is highly desirable.
- Communication: Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Values: Committed to ethical and sustainable sourcing practices.
Benefits:
Competitive salary in line with experience: £50,000- £60,000
- Bonus
- Medical cover
- Work from home on Fridays
- Career progression plan into Head of Procurement
Senior Food Buyer employer: Procurement Heads
Contact Detail:
Procurement Heads Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Food Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the food procurement sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may have insights into the role and the company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the latest trends in the food market, especially those affecting retail and FMCG. Being knowledgeable about current issues and innovations will help you stand out during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with international suppliers and complex negotiations. Think of specific examples that demonstrate your strategic procurement skills and how you've successfully managed supplier relationships.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership potential by highlighting any mentoring or team management experiences. Be ready to explain how you can contribute to the development of junior team members in the procurement process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Food Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in procurement, especially within the food or retail sectors. Emphasise your strategic skills and any leadership roles you've held to align with the job requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food procurement and your understanding of the market. Mention specific achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your ability to negotiate complex deals and manage supplier relationships.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your skills in strategic procurement, global sourcing, and supply chain management. Use examples to illustrate how you've successfully navigated challenges in these areas.
Showcase Leadership Experience: If you have experience mentoring or managing teams, make sure to include this in your application. Highlight how you've contributed to team development and any initiatives you've led that align with the company's growth objectives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Procurement Heads
✨Showcase Your Strategic Procurement Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in strategic procurement, especially with international suppliers. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully negotiated complex deals or sourced innovative products.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential
Since this role is designed for future leadership, share instances where you've led or mentored teams. Discuss how you can contribute to the development of junior team members and enhance the overall procurement capability.
✨Understand Market Trends
Research current global food market trends and pricing before the interview. Be ready to discuss how these insights could inform your buying strategy and decision-making process within the company.
✨Emphasise Ethical Sourcing Practices
This organisation values ethical and sustainable sourcing. Prepare to talk about your commitment to these practices and provide examples of how you've implemented them in your previous roles.
