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- 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 generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and working with a high-performing team.
- Why this job: Shape procurement strategy and make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven procurement leader with experience in food and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
Salary: Competitive
We're 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'll 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'll 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'll 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're a senior procurement professional with deep fresh-produce expertise and ambition to shape strategy at scale, we'd 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
Contact Detail:
Reynolds Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Procurement Produce & Ambient in Waltham Cross
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. We suggest practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight your experience in fresh produce and multi-category procurement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully negotiated contracts or improved supplier relationships. We want to see that you can drive value and resilience in procurement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Procurement Produce & Ambient in Waltham Cross
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Procurement role. Highlight your experience in sourcing and supplier strategy, especially in fresh produce and other food categories. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
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 high-impact role. Share specific examples of your achievements in procurement and how you’ve driven value and resilience in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a high-performing team, make sure to highlight your people leadership experience. We’re looking for someone who can develop talent and create a succession plan, so share any relevant stories that demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide others.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reynolds
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the fresh produce, dairy, bakery, chilled, frozen, and ambient categories. Research current market trends, pricing dynamics, and seasonality to demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led procurement teams in the past. Highlight your experience in developing talent and succession planning, as this role requires strong people leadership skills.
✨Master Negotiation Scenarios
Be ready to discuss your negotiation strategies and successes. Think of specific instances where you’ve driven value and resilience through contract negotiations, and be prepared to share these stories with confidence.
✨Align with Company Values
Understand the company's commitment to food safety, ethical sourcing, and sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how you can balance commercial performance with these important standards, showing that you align with their values.