Category Buyer

Zest Food Jobs; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Zest Food Jobs is seeking a procurement professional to own end-to-end sourcing across a defined product portfolio. You will drive supplier performance, negotiate terms, and ensure reliable supply to support growth, profitability and customer service.

You will manage supplier relationships, collaborate with finance and operations, implement cost-saving strategies, and monitor KPIs. Travel to supplier sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement and supplier relationship management.
• Strong numerical and analytical capabilities with a commercial mindset.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for procurement across allocated product portfolio and drive profitability.
• Manage supplier relationships and ensure timely sharing of information with internal teams.
• Develop and implement purchasing strategies to meet budgets and forecasts.
• Secure competitive pricing and favorable terms to support margins.
• Maintain procurement administration and ERP data accuracy; provide timely order updates.
• Collaborate with Technical and Quality teams to ensure compliance and supplier performance.

Skills

Numerical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Forecasting

Vendor management

Strategic thinking

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reports to: Group Procurement Manager

Role Overview

Take responsibility for the complete procurement process across an allocated product portfolio, with a strong focus on commercial results, supplier performance, and maintaining a consistent and dependable supply of products to support business growth.

The role will manage key supplier relationships, ensure relevant and timely supply information is shared with internal teams, and deliver procurement plans that improve profitability, operational efficiency, product quality, and service levels.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Ownership

• Have overall responsibility for the commercial performance and profitability of the allocated product portfolio, ensuring agreed targets are achieved.
• Maintain regular, proactive, and effective communication with the supplier base.
• Contribute to the broader commercial and sales objectives through effective purchasing and sourcing activity.

Main Duties

• Create and implement purchasing strategies and plans that reflect company buying procedures and overall commercial goals.
• Achieve agreed margin and volume expectations in accordance with approved budgets and forecasts.
• Improve trading profitability through effective cost management, prompt resolution of supplier-related issues, and proactive management of claims and commercial opportunities.
• Secure competitive supplier pricing, payment conditions, and wider commercial terms to support and improve margins.
• Maintain a high standard of procurement administration, including:
• Ensuring purchased goods are delivered within the required timescales to meet customer needs.
• Producing regular forecasts covering margin and overall profitability.
• Monitoring and managing supply shortages, surplus stock, and changes in product availability.
• Keeping product and purchasing records accurate and up to date within the ERP system.
• Providing clear and timely updates on orders, product availability, and anticipated delivery dates.
• Administering supplier programmes, rebates, claims, and other agreed commercial activities.
• Finding commercially effective sourcing options for packaging, labelling, and related materials.
• Maintain ongoing supplier contact to assess performance, review purchasing requirements, and support improvements against agreed KPIs.
• Manage supplier development initiatives, including planned supplier visits, regular reviews, and formal performance evaluations.
• Establish and maintain long-term supplier partnerships based on reliability, consistency, quality, and commercial value.
• Work collaboratively with Technical and Quality teams to ensure suppliers consistently meet the required technical, quality, and compliance requirements.
• Manage supplier performance scorecards and use these to drive:
• Improved financial and commercial results.
• Ongoing improvements in product quality and supply performance.
• Higher levels of product availability and customer service.
• Appropriate contingency plans and alternative sources of supply.
• Accurate and reliable reporting in collaboration with Finance.
• Identify opportunities to improve supply chain processes and introduce efficiencies that enhance both operational and commercial performance.
• Support product and process development by collaborating with suppliers, producers, technical partners, and internal teams to deliver differentiated solutions with clear commercial benefits.
• Take ownership of agreed projects and actions, ensuring delivery within required deadlines and using effective root-cause analysis to address problems.
• Keep commercial and sales teams informed of sourcing activity, supply availability, and relevant developments to support customer needs and business growth.
• Build effective communication across internal departments and contribute positively to relevant operational and commercial meetings.
• Demonstrate flexibility around working hours when necessary to meet the requirements of the position and respond effectively to operational or supply-related demands.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities necessary to contribute to the success of the business unit.

Core Competencies & Attributes

• Strong numerical skills, commercial understanding, and the ability to analyse information effectively.
• Demonstrable negotiation ability with confidence in commercial discussions.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and forward-planning skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office together with experience using ERP and other business systems.
• A strong customer-focused approach with an emphasis on achieving results and delivering commitments.
• The ability to remain resilient and confident while managing competing priorities and working under pressure.
• A positive and collaborative team approach, with the initiative to identify and resolve issues proactively.
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail, combined with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Willingness and ability to travel when required to suppliers, customers, and other company locations, including occasional international travel.
• Professional, reliable, and committed to delivering work to consistently high standards.