Ingredients Consultant

Proxima; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading management consultancy in the UK is seeking experienced procurement professionals to lead end-to-end procurement of direct materials. The role involves designing strategic sourcing plans, building supplier relationships, and influencing business goals. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience in procurement and comes from food, FMCG, commodities, or manufacturing sectors. This position offers a dynamic hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in direct procurement of raw materials, ingredients, or commodities.
• Background in Food, FMCG, Commodities, or Manufacturing sectors.
• Excellent programme management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement of direct materials, ensuring quality and efficiency.
• Design and execute strategic sourcing plans to meet timelines and budgets.
• Drive category management to unlock value and enhance performance.
• Build and nurture supplier relationships while maintaining market insight.
• Influence senior stakeholders to align procurement with business goals.
• Identify and mitigate procurement and delivery risks.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior team members.

Skills

Strong negotiation

Supplier management

Risk mitigation

Team leadership

Organizational skills

Job description

As part of the global leader Bain & Company, Proxima is an award-winning management consultancy specializing in procurement and supply chain. With vibrant offices in London, Leeds, Cardiff, Düsseldorf, Chicago, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and Melbourne, we offer a dynamic hybrid working model that blends time on client sites, at home, and in your local office.

We’re looking for experienced procurement professionals with a proven track record in sourcing ingredients, raw materials, or soft commodities. If you thrive on driving innovation, delivering commercial value, and building strong stakeholder relationships, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement of direct materials, ensuring quality, efficiency, and reliability across the supply chain.
• Design and execute strategic sourcing plans that meet demanding timelines and budgets.
• Drive category management and develop targeted strategies to unlock value and enhance performance.
• Build and nurture supplier relationships while maintaining deep market insight.
• Influence senior stakeholders to align procurement with broader business and capital delivery goals.
• Proactively identify and mitigate procurement and delivery risks.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to junior team members, fostering growth and collaboration.

About You

• Deep commercial acumen and hands‑on experience in direct procurement of raw materials, ingredients, or commodities.
• A background in Food, FMCG, Commodities, or Manufacturing sectors.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and risk mitigation capabilities.
• Proven team leadership and a collaborative, people‑first mindset.
• Excellent organizational and programme management skills.