At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing and supplier strategy for fresh produce and ambient food categories.
- Company: Join Reynolds Food Group, a leader in the food industry with a commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, private health insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and flexibility during seasonal peaks.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategy and make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven procurement leader with experience in food and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a Head of Procurement (Produce & Ambient) to lead sourcing, supplier strategy, and commercial performance across one of the most business-critical areas of our operation. This is a high-impact, senior commercial role with ownership of fresh produce at its core, alongside dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient food categories. You will play a pivotal part in securing supply, protecting margins, and building an industry-leading procurement function.
The Role
- Own the end-to-end sourcing strategy across fresh produce, dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient categories
- Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team, with clear succession planning
- Manage domestic and global suppliers, growers, processors, and import partners
- Negotiate short, medium, and long-term contracts, driving value, resilience, and continuity of supply
- Balance commercial performance with food safety, ethical, and sustainability standards
- Work cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Technical, Quality, Logistics, Operations, and Sales
- Mitigate risk linked to seasonality, weather, market volatility, and global supply disruption
- Drive margin performance, cost savings, forecast accuracy, waste reduction, and supplier KPIs
What We're Looking For
You will be a proven procurement leader with:
- Significant senior-level procurement experience within food, with a strong bias to fresh produce
- Multi-category exposure across fresh, chilled, frozen, bakery, dairy, and ambient
- Deep understanding of produce seasonality, global sourcing, and pricing dynamics
- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability within FMCG
- Experience modernising or transforming procurement functions
- Previous people leadership experience within food or fresh produce
- CIPS or equivalent qualification (desirable)
You will also bring gravitas, resilience, and the ability to operate calmly in fast-moving, commercially intense environments.
What's on Offer
- Competitive annual salary
- Bonus Scheme
- Car allowance
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Private health insurance, pension, life assurance
- Retail discounts and additional long-service benefits
Working Pattern
- Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week
- Early starts required to align with operational changeovers
- Flexibility during seasonal peaks and international supplier travel (UK & overseas)
If you are a senior procurement professional with deep fresh-produce expertise and ambition to shape strategy at scale, we would love to hear from you. Reynolds Food Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Head of Procurement (Produce & Ambient) in Waltham Cross employer: Reynolds Food Group
Reynolds Food Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, where you can lead and innovate in the procurement of fresh produce and ambient food categories. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive benefits including a bonus scheme, private health insurance, and generous holiday allowances, we foster a culture of collaboration and excellence, ensuring our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a high-stakes role that champions sustainability and ethical sourcing while enjoying the unique advantages of working within a leading food group.
