Buyer – Meat Operations in Cockermouth
Realise HR Ltd Cockermouth About the role
Role
Buyer – Meat Operations
Location
Cumbria
Salary
Up to £35K
Working Hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm with flexibility to meet customer requirements and some Saturday working. 40 hours.
Role Overview
We are seeking a commercially focused and driven Buyer to join the Fresh Department, taking responsibility for the sourcing and purchasing of meat products whilst ensuring the department delivers strong sales, profitability and quality standards.
This is a key commercial role, responsible for managing supplier relationships, identifying market opportunities, negotiating pricing and supporting the continued growth of the meat category.
The successful candidate will work proactively with suppliers and internal stakeholders to maintain a competitive product range, maximise margin performance and ensure excellent product availability and service levels.
Key Responsibilities
- Source and purchase fresh meat products to meet business requirements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating pricing, availability and promotional opportunities.
- Manage pricing and margin performance to maximise profitability whilst remaining competitive within the market.
- Monitor market trends, product availability and customer demand to identify commercial opportunities.
- Manage and develop the meat product range to ensure it meets customer and business requirements.
- Work closely with the Production team to ensure product specifications, quality standards and supply requirements are achieved.
- Liaise with Sales teams to communicate product availability, promotions and upselling opportunities.
- Oversee stock takes and stock control processes.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, quality and traceability standards across the supply chain.
- Support the Fresh Department in delivering sales growth, profitability and continuous improvement initiatives.
Objectives will focus on driving sales growth, improving gross profit performance, developing supplier relationships, maintaining a competitive product range, ensuring product availability and supporting continuous improvement across the Fresh Department.
Skills and Experience
- Proven experience in a meat buying or purchasing role, ideally within the foodservice, wholesale or food manufacturing sector.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing pricing, margins and supplier negotiations.
- Good knowledge of fresh meat products, suppliers and market trends.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Analytical approach with strong attention to detail and the ability to identify commercial opportunities.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Experience working with stock control, product range management and purchasing systems.
- Confident using Microsoft Office and internal business systems.
- Proactive and commercially focused approach to work.
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Your tasks
Source and purchase fresh meat products while managing supplier relationships.
Your profile
Experience in meat buying, strong negotiation skills, and commercial awareness.
What's also included
Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
Tech stack & ways of working
Buyer – Meat Operations in Cockermouth employer: Realise HR Ltd
Join a well-established manufacturing operation in Dumfries as a Production Manager, where you will lead a dedicated team of 60-80 employees in a supportive environment that prioritises continuous improvement and operational excellence. With a competitive salary of up to £45,000, the company offers ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance. This role not only allows you to drive operational success but also empowers you to make a meaningful impact on your team's growth and engagement.
Your perspectives
Make an impact in the food industry by driving sales and improving product quality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get to Know the Industry Events
Dive into wholesale distribution trade shows and local industry meet-ups. These events are gold mines for networking and can even lead to job leads. Plus, getting face time with companies like Realise HR Ltd can make you stand out!
Connect with Industry Professionals
Join online forums and communities specific to wholesale distribution. Places like LinkedIn groups or industry-specific Slack channels can put you in touch with insiders who know about the latest job openings at companies like Realise HR Ltd before they even get posted.
Tailor Your Approach to Distribution Roles
When you apply for full-time roles, make sure your interactions highlight your understanding of supply chain management and logistics. Companies like Realise HR Ltd want to see that you get the bigger picture and can contribute to their efficiency!
Follow Up Like a Pro
After you've sent in your application, don't be shy! Follow up with a brief message to express your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows initiative but keeps your name fresh in the minds of recruiters at Realise HR Ltd.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Distribution Know-How
For a role in wholesale distribution, it’s crucial to highlight any experience you have with supply chain management or logistics. Make sure to detail any relevant projects or roles on your CV that show you understand how products move from point A to point B efficiently.
Quantify Your Achievements
When crafting your CV, don’t just list tasks; instead, focus on achievements that can be quantified. For example, mention how you increased delivery efficiency by a percentage or managed a specific number of vendors. Numbers stand out and prove you can make a difference at Realise HR Ltd.
Tailored Cover Letter Approach
In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about wholesale distribution and what excites you about the specific challenges at Realise HR Ltd. Show us you’ve done some research on the company, and mention any values or initiatives they have that resonate with you.
Highlight Team Collaboration Skills
Since wholesale distribution often requires working closely with teams, emphasise your teamwork skills in your application. Include examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues, suppliers, or stakeholders to improve operations or resolve issues.
How to prepare for a job interview at Realise HR Ltd
Showcase Your Analytical Skills
In the wholesale distribution sector, being able to analyse market trends and inventory data is key. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled inventory management issues or implemented solutions that improved efficiency; this will show Realise HR Ltd that you can handle the analytical side of the role.
Know Your Logistics Inside Out
Since logistics play a massive part in wholesale distribution, it's vital to familiarise yourself with the tools and software used in the industry, like ERP systems or supply chain management platforms. Mention any experience you have with these tools during the interview to impress Realise HR Ltd.
Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that revolve around real-life situations in wholesale distribution, such as how you'd handle supply chain disruptions or manage relationships with suppliers. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies on these topics to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
Highlight Your Long-Term Potential
As you're applying for a full-time role, Realise HR Ltd will want to see your commitment to growing within the organisation. Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how this role aligns with your goals, emphasising that you are in it for the long haul!
Locations
- Cockermouth
