Category Buyer – Outsourced

The Compleat Food Group; Redhill; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced Buyer to join their dynamic Procurement team in Redhill. This role focuses on optimizing expenditure and enhancing profitability through innovative sourcing strategies. You'll engage with suppliers across the UK and Europe, fostering strong relationships and driving cost-saving initiatives. With a commitment to sustainability and community, this organization values diverse talent and offers a supportive environment for professional growth. If you're passionate about procurement in the food sector and eager to make a positive impact, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

33 days holiday

Employee Volunteering Days

Retail discount schemes

Well-being support groups

Training opportunities

Charity initiatives

Access to Grocery Aid

Gym discounts

Online well-being benefits

Financial well-being tools

Qualifications

• Experience in procurement within the food industry, with a focus on fresh and frozen foods.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills with strategic suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement tasks and assist in developing agreements with suppliers.
• Identify cost savings and lead contract negotiations for better terms.
• Collaborate with teams to enhance supply chain cost-saving projects.

Skills

Knowledge of procurement in the food industry

Skilled negotiator

Supplier relationship management

Strong interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Decision-making abilities

Project management

Understanding of contract law

CIPS qualification

Education

CIPS qualification

Job description

Join our Procurement Team at The Compleat Food Group!

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Buyer – Outsourced, to join our outstanding Procurement team in Redhill!

In this role, you will be accountable for optimising Group expenditure across nominated categories, improving company profitability and working capital, and providing strategic commercial/competitive advantage to the business and added value to consumers through sourcing and innovation. This role also includes travel within the UK and Europe.

Who We Are

At The Compleat Food Group, we're on a mission to create delectable food that not only brings joy to your taste buds but also extends love to our planet. We refer to this as 'Food to Feel Good' because we believe in savouring every bite whilst making a positive impact.

Our team of over 5,000 remarkable individuals drives the creation of delectable products for UK consumers, prominent retailers, and our market-leading brands such as Wall's Pastry, Squeaky Bean, and Unearthed.

Working Hours

Monday to Thursday 08:30 – 17:00 and Fridays 08:00-16:00 – who doesn’t love an early finish on a Friday!

Your Duties Will Include

• Support the outsourced team by assisting with procurement tasks, providing support to the outsourced procurement team, and learning from their expertise.
• Lead and assist in developing commercial agreements with outsourced suppliers by gathering necessary information and supporting negotiations.
• Identify cost savings by working with internal teams and suppliers to find areas where costs can be reduced through collaboration and effective communication.
• Lead contract negotiations, assisting in the preparation and coordination of negotiations, focusing on terms such as exclusivity and contract length.
• Collaborate with different teams to support cost-saving projects within the supply chain, contributing to discussions and ideas.
• Gather and review data for cost and value chain analysis, assess processes, and identify savings opportunities.
• Learn from and collaborate with more experienced members of the broader procurement team, applying their knowledge to support the outsourced model.
• Build strong relationships with retailers to ensure seamless communication.
• Further develop understanding of procurement in the food industry, covering retail, B2B, and manufacturing sectors.
• Support procurement projects in the UK, Ireland, and Europe, gaining exposure to different market practices.
• Analyse data sets and contribute to developing strategies under the guidance of senior team members.
• Assist in leading indirect teams.
• Collaborate with suppliers and teams from different countries and cultural backgrounds, enhancing communication and teamwork skills.

Skills And Experience

• Knowledge of procurement in the food industry (fresh/frozen food)
• Skilled negotiator
• Skilled in supplier relationship management with strategic suppliers
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively stakeholder and influence all teams, areas, and levels of the Group
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and reporting skills
• Strong and confident decision-making abilities
• Experience in delivering, leading, and managing projects
• Understanding of contract law and processes
• CIPS qualification (Desirable)

Benefits

• Hybrid working
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• 2 Employee Volunteering Days per year
• Online and high-street retailer discount schemes
• Employee well-being and community support groups
• Training opportunities via a personalised online LMS platform
• Charity initiatives and team events
• 24/7 access to Grocery Aid (free financial, emotional, and practical support)
• Physical wellbeing benefits – free on-demand exercise hub and gym discounts
• Online wellbeing benefits
• Financial wellbeing tools – mortgage calculators, budget tools, etc.
• Holiday discounts via online retail discount schemes

The Compleat Food Group is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful culture where colleagues feel safe, supported, and valued. We attract diverse talent because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and a better working environment. We are dedicated to fairness, equity, inclusivity, and respect in all that we do.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a trusted Preferred Supplier List to assist us if required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies.

Apply now