JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: SENIOR BUYER
Reporting to: Procurement Lead
Location: On site – Leek, Staffordshire
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent (37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday)
About the Role
Working alongside the Head of Operations, and the Procurement Lead, the Senior Buyer will play a key role in ensuring the procurement of raw materials, packaging, and other necessary supplies to support manufacturing operations. This individual will develop and execute sourcing strategies, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships to ensure cost-effectiveness, quality, and supply continuity.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and implement strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize cost, quality, and supplier performance.
• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with key suppliers, ensuring compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost savings and supply security.
• Monitor market trends, pricing fluctuations, and supply chain risks to proactively address procurement challenges.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure raw materials and packaging meet required specifications.
• Manage and analyse procurement data to identify opportunities for process improvements and cost reductions.
• Ensure timely procurement and delivery of ingredients and materials to meet production schedules.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records, including purchase orders, contracts, and supplier agreements.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to support new product development and innovation projects.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, company policies, and sustainability initiatives.
• Any other task as may be reasonably expected from this position.
Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.
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• Proven experience in a procurement role within a manufacturing environment, preferably in food, chemicals or pharmaceuticals.
• Strong knowledge of ingredient sourcing, global supply chain dynamics, and contract negotiation.
• Experience working with ERP systems and procurement software.
• Strong negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive approach to supplier management.
• Knowledge of FDA, GMP, and other regulatory requirements for food/nutritional products is a plus.
• Organised and efficient with an attention to detail.
• Professional, friendly and collaborative.
• A commercial mindset.
• Solutions orientated.
• Hands-on, can-do attitude.
