Buyer

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A culinary procurement organization in the Greater London area is looking for a detail-oriented Buyer to join their procurement team. This role involves implementing sourcing strategies to meet business objectives and ensure product quality and availability. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years' experience in food buying, strong negotiation and analytical skills, and the ability to perform under pressure. This position offers opportunities for professional growth as part of a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience of food and ingredient buying.
• Able to negotiate effectively.
• Analytical and mathematically adept.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement product category plans.
• Monitor supplier performance ensuring compliance.
• Continuously improve product quality and availability.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Decision-making

Analytical skills

Microsoft Office competence

Organizational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Job description

Job Overview

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.

Responsibilities

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.

What we will need from you

• Minimum 5 years' experience of food and ingredient buying.
• 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.

This description is based on the company's assessment of the requirements and functions of the job as of the date the description was prepared. It is a general guideline for both managers and employees but it does not claim to be an exhaustive list of all aspects of the job. The company reserves the right to modify the description at any time, or to vary the duties and responsibilities of the job on either a temporary or indefinite basis to meet the requirements of the company's business.