At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category growth and enhance performance across non-fruit categories in Europe.
- Company: Join Westfalia Fruit, the leading supplier of fresh avocados globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension contributions, and a healthcare plan.
- Why this job: Be a key player in innovative strategies and customer relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Flexible location within commutable distance to UK or Munich offices.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Come and join the leading #avoexperts. Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain, we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.
We’re looking for a European Procurement Manager to join our team in Europe on a permanent basis. We are open to the location of the successful person, but you must be within commutable distance to one of the three following offices in the UK (Kings Hill, or Spalding) or Munich, Germany. Please note we cannot hire this position outside of these areas due to workload.
As European Procurement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving category growth and enhancing performance across all non-fruit categories. You will work closely with key customers, developing and implementing innovative strategies. By acting as a trusted advisor, you will build strong relationships and identify growth opportunities. Your expertise will be essential in supporting Westfalia Fruit's commercial growth objectives. Domestic and international travel will be required to support customer and business operations across Europe.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and lead the category vision for the avocado and value-added product lines across key European growth markets.
- Lead the development of the short and long-term category agenda in alignment with Westfalia’s growth plans, ensuring its execution with customers.
- Translate category insights into actionable recommendations for customers, helping drive category growth through assortment optimisation, shelving strategies, and promotional effectiveness.
- Present category strategies and business reviews to customers, demonstrating growth possibilities for both the category and Westfalia products.
- Work closely with internal teams to ensure the alignment of category initiatives with overall business objectives.
- Lead the category development agenda for innovation projects, working with cross-functional teams to introduce new products and improve category offerings.
- Set the agenda for category growth, ensuring the flawless execution of category projects in collaboration with sales and commercial teams.
- Develop customer-specific planograms and assortment strategies, working closely with space management teams.
Requirements:
- A strong background in category management or a related function.
- Prior experience of working within the fresh produce industry, responsible for fruit or vegetables, or dry grocery items.
- Proficiency in English and with additional European languages being highly advantageous.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with an in-depth understanding of shopper insights, customer knowledge, and category drivers.
- Proven leadership abilities, with experience managing multi-functional projects and influencing stakeholders at various levels of the organization.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with strong customer-facing experience.
- Expertise in using MS Office, Nielsen, and customer portals for data analysis and insight generation.
Desirable:
- Bachelor’s degree in applied economics, Marketing, or related fields; advanced degree preferred.
- Experience working across multiple European markets, understanding regional market dynamics.
- Prior industry experience within the fresh fruit and vegetable sector.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging with senior management in both internal and customer-facing capacities.
- Ability to manage large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects, demonstrating creativity and flexibility in problem-solving.
25 days holiday, plus public holidays. Pension contribution. Life Assurance. Medicash healthcare plan.
Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.
We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.
Procurement Manager in Kings Hill employer: Westfalia Fruit
Contact Detail:
Westfalia Fruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Manager in Kings Hill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Westfalia Fruit. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their products, values, and market position. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills with real examples! When discussing your experience, use specific instances where you've driven category growth or improved performance. This will make your application stand out and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Westfalia team.
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Manager in Kings Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and any relevant achievements in the fresh produce industry. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to Westfalia Fruit's growth. Be sure to mention any innovative strategies you've implemented in the past.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t forget to include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. We love seeing how you can turn insights into actionable recommendations!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the quickest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Westfalia Fruit
✨Know Your Avocados!
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of avocados and the fresh produce industry. Understand Westfalia Fruit's position in the market and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their category management needs.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've developed and executed category strategies in the past. Highlight your analytical skills and how you've used shopper insights to drive growth, as this will resonate well with the role.
✨Build Relationships Virtually
Since the role involves working closely with customers, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your ability to influence stakeholders and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
✨Master Your Presentation Skills
As you'll need to present category strategies and business reviews, practice your presentation skills. Be clear and concise, and prepare to answer questions about your recommendations. Use data to back up your points, showing your proficiency with tools like MS Office and Nielsen.