Buying Manager

Zest Recruitment; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known food business in London seeks a Buying Manager to oversee a diverse supplier base in fresh produce. The role involves negotiating contracts and ensuring high-quality produce supply while driving cost-saving initiatives. Ideal candidates will have proven buying experience in the food sector and excellent negotiation skills. This opportunity offers a supportive environment with a commitment to professional development.

Benefits

Support for professional development

Commitment to community engagement

Qualifications

• Proven buying experience within fresh produce is essential.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to influence.
• Excellent negotiation skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate contracts and costs with suppliers.
• Drive cost-saving and value-adding initiatives.
• Ensure consistent high-quality produce supply.
• Build resilient sourcing strategy.
• Lead product sourcing for new product development.

Skills

Proven buying experience

Strong commercial awareness

Excellent negotiation skills

Attention to detail

Confident communicator

Passion for food

Job description

Are you a commercially driven buyer with a passion for fresh produce? Our client, a well‑known and much‑loved food business, is looking to add a Buying Manager to join their team. This is an opportunity to influence a high‑profile category, shape supplier partnerships, and play a key role in delivering great‑tasting products to customers.

In this position, you will oversee a diverse supplier base across fresh produce, ensuring quality, consistency, and competitive commercial performance. You'll work cross‑functionally with technical, development and operations teams to deliver innovation, maintain supply resilience and drive continuous improvement. This is a fast‑paced business where no two days will ever be the same!

Key Responsibilities

• Negotiate contracts and costs with suppliers to achieve strong commercial outcomes.
• Drive cost‑saving and value‑adding initiatives.
• Select, manage and develop suppliers to meet business needs while supporting long‑term, sustainable partnerships.
• Work to ensure consistent high‑quality produce supply.
• Build a resilient sourcing strategy that supports supply continuity and mitigates risk.
• Lead product sourcing and support NPD activity.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to bring wonderfully fresh produce to customers.

Experience & Skills Required

• Proven buying experience within fresh produce is essential, ideally gained in a fast‑moving retail or food service environment.
• Pro‑active and inquisitive with strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent negotiation skills along with ability to influence others.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Confident communicator.
• Passionate about great food and the customer experience.
• Positive, solutions‑focused and known for bringing energy to your work.

If you have experience as a Buyer in the world of fresh produce, then this truly is a fantastic business to become part of. Alongside wonderful benefits, this hugely supportive business will support you to reach your full potential with a commitment to funding your development. It is the opportunity to be part of a business that values both its staff and the wider community alike.