At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of strategic procurement for ingredients and packaging in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Company: Rapidly evolving UK food manufacturing business with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and continuous professional development.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on operational excellence and long-term growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on procurement strategies and drive innovation in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement with strong strategic and commercial skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
A highly respected and rapidly evolving UK food manufacturing business is seeking an exceptional Buyer to take ownership of strategically critical procurement categories across ingredients and packaging (approximately £20m portfolio) within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment. This is a significant opportunity for an experienced procurement professional who thrives within commercially complex, operationally demanding, and highly collaborative manufacturing businesses.
The role offers genuine visibility, influence, and the opportunity to shape category strategy within a business that is investing heavily in operational capability, customer partnerships, innovation, and long-term growth. The organisation operates within a dynamic food manufacturing environment supplying both retail and B2B channels, where procurement plays a central role in protecting margin, maintaining continuity of supply, driving innovation, and supporting wider commercial performance. This is not a transactional buying role. It requires a commercially astute, strategically minded procurement professional capable of operating across supplier markets, manufacturing operations, finance, planning, technical, NPD, and commercial teams to deliver measurable business impact.
The Senior Buyer will hold end-to-end responsibility for a portfolio of strategically important procurement categories spanning raw materials, ingredients, commodities, and packaging. The successful individual will be expected to:
- Develop and execute category strategies aligned to wider business objectives
- Manage supplier performance, cost control, and security of supply across critical spend areas
- Operate confidently within volatile commodity and ingredient markets
- Lead commercial negotiations with both UK and international suppliers
- Identify opportunities for value creation beyond simple cost reduction
- Support working capital and inventory optimisation initiatives
- Drive supplier innovation into the wider business
- Partner closely with operational stakeholders to support service, production, and customer requirements
- Build robust procurement governance whilst maintaining pace and agility
The role requires someone capable of balancing strategic thinking with operational execution. You will need to be equally comfortable negotiating commercial agreements, managing supply risk, influencing senior stakeholders, analysing market movements, supporting manufacturing operations, and challenging suppliers where required.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- Strategic Procurement & Category Management
- Supplier Management & Commercial Leadership
Senior Buyer employer: Resourcing Group
Contact Detail:
Resourcing Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Senior Buyer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. We recommend practising your answers to common questions, especially around supplier management and cost control, so you can showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people in our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially in ingredients and packaging. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your strategic thinking and operational execution skills, and how they can benefit us at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, make sure to include specific examples of your past successes in procurement. Whether it’s cost savings or supplier innovation, we love to see measurable impacts that demonstrate your capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Resourcing Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Buyer, you'll be dealing with significant budgets and procurement strategies. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in the past. Be specific about savings you've achieved and how you measured success.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires a blend of strategic thinking and operational execution. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to develop and execute category strategies. Think about times when your strategic decisions led to measurable business impact and be ready to share those stories.
✨Understand the Market Dynamics
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the food manufacturing sector, especially around ingredients and packaging. Be prepared to discuss how market movements can affect procurement and how you've navigated these challenges in previous roles.
✨Build Relationships
The role emphasises collaboration with various teams and suppliers. Think about how you've built strong relationships in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Be ready to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and how you ensure alignment across different functions.