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- Tasks: Develop and implement product category plans while managing supplier relationships and negotiations.
- Company: Join a dynamic procurement team at The Menu Partners, focused on quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact by ensuring product quality and availability while driving customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in food buying, strong negotiation skills, and analytical abilities required.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Category Planning & Development
- Develop and implement product category plans with clearly defined activities, targets, and milestones.
Supplier & Contract Management
- Identify, assess, and develop a consolidated and reliable supplier base aligned with current and future business needs.
- Lead supplier negotiations, ensuring contracts and agreements are aligned with procurement policy and signed within approved authority limits.
- Monitor supplier performance, ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and delivery expectations.
- Proactively manage day-to-day supplier issues with speed, diplomacy, and professionalism.
Cost, Quality & Availability Management
- Continuously improve cost-efficiency, product quality, and first-time product availability across all depots.
- Support Sales and Commercial teams with timely and competitive pricing for new and existing products, including during tender processes.
- Regularly update and communicate product cost forecasts and market trends that may impact pricing or supply.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Quality/Technical teams to ensure product specifications meet operational, legal, and customer requirements.
- Liaise closely with Depot Operations to ensure product availability and service consistency across all locations.
- Provide proactive updates to key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and responsiveness across departments.
Risk, Waste & Sustainability
- Identify and plan for business continuity and supply risk scenarios, including supplier contingency planning.
- Contribute to waste reduction initiatives; monitor and report on product waste regularly.
- Support the company's sustainability and ethical sourcing goals where applicable.
Operational & Stock Support
- Assist with stock management and resolve operational procurement issues promptly.
- Participate in initiatives to optimise inventory levels and reduce stockholding costs without compromising availability.
- Establish and maintain a competitive core range of products to support sales growth and market differentiation.
- Monitor and report category performance against KPIs, budgets, and strategic goals.
The Menu Partners are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Buyer to join our dynamic procurement team. You will be responsible for implementing a sourcing strategy for assigned product categories to support the wider business objectives - ensuring product quality, availability, and cost competitiveness while driving customer satisfaction. This role encompasses the full sourcing life cycle, including supplier selection and management, procurement planning, cost control, and stakeholder communication.
Minimum 5 years' experience of food and ingredient buying.
Key Skills & Qualifications
- Interpersonal skills, particularly in negotiating.
- Ability to make decisions.
- Ability to cope with pressure and adapt to situations.
- Analytical, mathematically adept.
- Microsoft competence (Word, Excel).
- Able to work well in a team.
- Good organisational skills.
- Can remain calm under pressure.
Buyer in City of Westminster employer: The Menu Partners
Contact Detail:
The Menu Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Buyer in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and join online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its suppliers. Understand their product categories and be ready to discuss how you can improve cost-efficiency and quality. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Whether it’s with suppliers or during salary discussions, being confident and articulate can set you apart. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got a range of opportunities that might just be perfect for you. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Buyer in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Buyer role. Highlight your experience in category planning, supplier management, and cost control. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Negotiation Skills: Since this role involves a lot of supplier negotiations, don’t forget to mention any relevant experiences. Share specific examples where you’ve successfully negotiated contracts or resolved supplier issues. We love a good success story!
Be Data-Driven: As a Buyer, being analytical is key. Include any experience you have with data analysis, forecasting, or reporting on KPIs. Show us how you can use numbers to drive decisions and improve product availability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Menu Partners
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the product categories you'll be managing. Understand current trends, key suppliers, and any challenges in the market. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're proactive about staying informed.
✨Master Supplier Negotiation Scenarios
Prepare for potential negotiation scenarios by practising your approach to supplier discussions. Think about how you would handle different situations, such as price increases or quality issues. Being ready with examples will showcase your interpersonal skills and decision-making abilities.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've improved cost-efficiency or product availability through analysis. This will highlight your analytical prowess and ability to cope under pressure.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with other teams, like Sales or Quality/Technical departments. Highlight how you ensured alignment and responsiveness across departments, as this role requires strong teamwork and communication skills.
