Directs Buyer

CIPHR Limited.; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in premium chocolate manufacturing seeks a skilled procurement professional to enhance their sourcing strategies. This exciting role involves leading sourcing projects, establishing strong stakeholder relationships, and implementing best practices in procurement. With a commitment to creating moments that make everyone feel special, the company offers a vibrant work environment that values diversity and inclusion. Join a dynamic team dedicated to delivering sustainable cost reductions while maintaining exceptional service levels. If you're passionate about procurement and want to make a significant impact, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus

Pension

Life cover

Chocolate allowance

Chocolate give-aways

Chocolate discount

£100 personal incentive

Birthday day off

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic procurement, ideally in FMCG or food industry.
• Strong negotiation skills and stakeholder management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing projects and establish best practice procurement processes.
• Design and negotiate contracts while managing supplier relationships.

Skills

Strategic Procurement

Negotiation Skills

Stakeholder Management

Cost Reduction Strategies

Service Level Optimization

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

e-sourcing tools

Job description

We are a premium chocolate manufacturer established in 1845 operating in over 86 countries around the World. Guided by our Global purpose to Enchant the World with Chocolate and UK vision of Creating Moments to Make Everyone Feel Special, we have around 400 team members in the UK across our Head Office, Retail, and Field Sales divisions. We are a Top 20 Great Place to Work and are proud of our incredible people, our unique values-led culture and our iconic market leading brands such as LINDOR & GOLD BUNNY.

We’re also proud of being one of the few ‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate makers in the world, where we control every step of our chocolate production.

Where you’ll be based

This role is currently based in Feltham, London (Hybrid Working: in the office 60% and WFH 40%) but from the end of 2025, we will have a new office based in Richmond upon Thames.

How you could help us to Enchant the World with Chocolate

To support the Procurement agenda across the UK business, co-ordinating activities & the procurement process for the business. This is achieved through negotiations, defining and executing sourcing strategies across Direct materials and Point of Sale categories and collaborating within the wider European Procurement Program and the UK organisation.

• Lead sourcing projects (e.g. RFPs) and other value delivery initiatives (e.g. service level / specification optimization, demand management initiatives) in close collaboration with relevant business functions.
• Establish & implement best practice procurement processes including Purchase Orders, Contract Management & e-sourcing.
• Establish strong relationships with key stakeholders across relevant functions, promoting and demonstrating the value of Procurement.
• Design and negotiate contracts, in collaboration with Legal, establishing best-in-class commercial models.
• Conduct Supplier Relationship Management activities and monitor compliance with contractually agreed commercials and performance KPIs, in collaboration with the functions.
• Develop & own relationships with local vendors.
• Provide insights into the latest market developments and best practice opportunities for the major categories.
• Support local implementation of Group Procurement initiatives (e.g. local project management, local stakeholder management, information gathering), in close collaboration with relevant business functions.
• Share best practices with the wider Indirect Procurement community.

What experience you’ll bring

• 5+ years of professional experience in strategic procurement, preferably within FMCG or food industry.
• Consolidated experience across indirect procurement.
• Experience in leading sourcing projects (e.g. RFPs) across the majority of the categories in scope.
• Successful track record of designing and implementing sourcing strategies, delivering sustainable year-on-year cost reductions without compromising service level.
• Negotiation skills, with experience in defining and negotiating different commercial models within the categories in scope.
• Experience in designing and negotiating service agreements, in collaboration with Legal.
• Experience in extracting value from service level / specifications optimization, as well as demand management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills - Obtaining buy-in from stakeholders is critical for being successful in this position.
• Experience in e-sourcing tools of advantage.
• Business and financial acumen.

Being yourself every day

We want everyone at Lindt feel safe to be themselves, ensuring they are empowered, represented, celebrated and included in our workplace. You’ll notice this throughout the recruitment process; in our ‘dress for your day’ policy and through our proactive DE&I strategy.

Living our values every day

At Lindt UK, our values guide us in everything we do. Being Passionately Lindt, Always Evolving, Building Real Relationships, Acting Responsibly and Making An Impact are an integral part of life here at Lindt.

What you can expect from us

In return for everything that you’ll bring, we can offer you an exciting role in a fast-growing organisation, where we’ll provide an environment where you will thrive, feel supported and fulfil your career aspirations. As well as supporting your physical and mental wellbeing, as part of our offering, you will receive a competitive compensation and benefits package including; competitive salary, bonus, pension, life cover, chocolate allowance; chocolate give-aways, chocolate discount, £100 personal incentive, birthday day off and so much more!