Buyer

Vickerstock; Magherafelt; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A major food manufacturer based in Northern Ireland is seeking a Buyer to enhance their procurement team. This full-time permanent role involves sourcing and negotiating suppliers for ingredients, packaging, and consumables. The ideal candidate will possess experience in buying within food manufacturing, excel in communication to influence stakeholders, and must engage with ERP/MRP systems. This is an opportunity to impact supply chain efficiency while working in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a Buying or Procurement role within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across teams and supplier networks.
• A proactive, solutions-driven individual who takes ownership, shows initiative, and maintains a high level of accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and ongoing management of suppliers across ingredients, packaging, and indirect spend.
• Ensure robust stock availability through accurate forecasting and close collaboration with planning and production teams.
• Support wider procurement strategy through tenders, cost benchmarking, and contract negotiations.

Skills

Negotiation

Market analysis

Supplier management

ERP/MRP systems

Excel

Job description

Vickerstock are working in partnership with a major food manufacturing business who are now seeking a Buyer to join their procurement function and play a key role in ensuring the smooth, cost-effective supply of ingredients, packaging, and consumables. This is a full-time permanent position.

The Role

Reporting to the Procurement Manager, the Buyer will operate in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where supplier performance, cost control, and stock availability are critical. You will work closely with production, planning, quality, and NPD teams to ensure materials are sourced competitively, delivered on time, and aligned with customer and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and ongoing management of suppliers across ingredients, packaging, and indirect spend.
• Analyse market trends and commodity movements to secure competitive pricing while maintaining product integrity.
• Ensure robust stock availability through accurate forecasting and close collaboration with planning and production teams.
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships, conducting regular performance and service-level reviews.
• Support wider procurement strategy through tenders, cost bench marking, and contract negotiations.
• Work in partnership with Quality and Technical teams to uphold full supplier compliance with BRCGS, HACCP, and customer requirements.
• Act decisively to resolve supply challenges and minimise any risk to production schedules.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance purchasing efficiency, cost control, and supply chain performance.

About You (Revised)

• Demonstrable experience in a Buying or Procurement role within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across teams and supplier networks.
• Skilled in ERP/MRP systems and Excel
• A proactive, solutions-driven individual who takes ownership, shows initiative, and maintains a high level of accuracy.

To be considered for this position, please APPLY today and get in touch with our supply chain specialist Michael Irwin today!