At a Glance
- Tasks: Take ownership of a key vegetable category and drive commercial performance.
- Company: Join a well-established and growing business in the fresh produce sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and supplier visits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact and shape supplier strategy in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative mindset.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are partnering with a well‑established and growing business within the fresh produce sector to recruit a Category Buyer responsible for a key vegetable category. This is a high‑visibility role offering real ownership, commercial influence, and the opportunity to shape supplier strategy within a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.
The Role
As Category Buyer, you will take end‑to‑end ownership of your product portfolio, driving commercial performance while ensuring a consistent and efficient supply chain. Reporting to the Head of Procurement and Commercial Director, you will build and manage strategic supplier relationships, provide market and supply insights to internal stakeholders, and execute procurement strategies that support both profitability and growth. Working closely with commercial, technical, and operational teams, you will play a critical role in aligning supply with customer demand and business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the commercial performance of your category, delivering against margin and volume targets
- Develop and execute procurement strategies aligned with business objectives
- Negotiate pricing and commercial terms to protect and enhance profitability
- Build strong, long‑term supplier partnerships, driving performance and continuous improvement
- Monitor market trends and provide timely supply intelligence to support sales and planning
- Manage supply chain challenges including shortages, surplus, and fluctuations
- Ensure accurate forecasting, reporting, and ERP system management
- Lead supplier performance reviews, visits, and development initiatives
- Collaborate with technical teams to ensure compliance with quality and regulatory standards
- Drive operational efficiencies and identify opportunities for cost reduction
- Support innovation across product and process, working with suppliers and internal teams
- Provide clear, proactive communication across all internal stakeholders
We are looking for a commercially driven procurement professional with strong analytical and negotiation skills, ideally gained within fresh produce or a similarly fast‑moving environment. You will bring:
- Ideally fresh produce, or food/drink industry experience.
- Strong numerical and analytical capability with a data‑led mindset
- Proven ability to negotiate and influence at all levels
- Excellent organisation, planning, and communication skills
- A proactive, solutions‑focused approach with high attention to detail
- The ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
- A collaborative mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Flexibility to travel, including occasional international supplier visits
This is an excellent opportunity to join a forward‑thinking business where you can make a tangible impact, take real ownership of a key category, and contribute to ongoing growth and innovation.
Category Buyer employer: Zest Food Jobs
Join an ambitious, founder-led food and beverage manufacturer in North London as an Operations Manager, where your contributions will directly shape the future of the business. With a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, you'll enjoy significant career progression, private healthcare, and a long-term equity opportunity, all while working closely with experienced founders in a fast-paced environment that values innovation and initiative. This is a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in a growing company that prioritises quality and customer partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Buyer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your skills can drive their commercial performance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your negotiation skills in real-time! If you get the chance, demonstrate your ability to influence and negotiate during discussions or role-play scenarios in interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Buyer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Buyer. Highlight your experience in procurement, especially within fresh produce or similar sectors, and showcase your analytical skills and negotiation successes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined. Don’t forget to mention your proactive approach and ability to work under pressure.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial impact. Use numbers and examples to illustrate how you've driven performance and built strong supplier relationships.
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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zest Food Jobs
✨Know Your Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the vegetable category you'll be managing. Understand market trends, key suppliers, and recent developments in the fresh produce sector. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations where you successfully influenced outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to securing favourable terms and how you build long-term supplier relationships. This is crucial for a Category Buyer, so make sure your stories highlight your analytical and persuasive abilities.
✨Demonstrate Your Data-Driven Mindset
Since the role requires strong numerical and analytical skills, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Whether it's forecasting or managing supply chain challenges, showing your comfort with data will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Communication
As a Category Buyer, you'll need to work closely with various teams. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated with stakeholders in the past and how you foster collaboration. Highlighting your proactive communication style will reassure interviewers that you can align supply with customer demand seamlessly.
