Junior Sourcing Specialist – Food

Jobtailor; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced procurement professional to support strategy across indirect food categories. You will develop category plans, manage supplier performance, and negotiate central contracts to drive value and compliance.

Ideal candidates bring strong negotiation, change management, and analytical skills, with experience in eProcurement tools such as Scanmarket. Training and progression opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Ideally sourcing and category management experience within indirect food production.
• Market knowledge and procurement best practice.
• Good negotiation skills and an ability to influence key decision makers.
• Experience of delivering change.
• Track record of commercial acumen.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Highly analytical and methodical approach.
• Ability to structure workload, to plan and multi-task efficiently.
• Competent with eProcurement platforms and IT solutions.
• CIPS qualification or relevant industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the senior team in delivering the overall procurement business strategy, with accountability for specific categories.
• Develop strategic category plans to drive commercial, quality and service objectives.
• Implement supplier performance management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage commercial terms and central contractual agreements for suppliers.
• Consolidate expenditure and suppliers where appropriate.
• Negotiate and draft contracts for key vendors.
• Use electronic tendering, auctions, and Scanmarket eSourcing platforms.
• Monitor supplier SLAs and KPIs and implement recovery measures.
• Engage internal stakeholders and present supply chain optimisation opportunities and impacts.
• Follow up on delivery queries and shortages with suppliers.
• Support menu development for accountable airlines through product/service sourcing and pricing.
• Adhere to compliance procedures and implement procurement processes, policies, guidelines, and projects.

Skills

Sourcing And Category Management

Negotiation Skills

Commercial Acumen

Change Management

Analytical Skills

Multi-Tasking

Communication Skills

Presentation Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Influencing Skills

Education

CIPS Qualification

Prince2 Certification

Tools

Scanmarket eSourcing

Electronic Tendering

Auctions

Job description

• Support the senior team in delivering the overall procurement business strategy, with accountability for specific categories
• Develop strategic category plans to drive commercial, quality and service objectives
• Implement supplier performance management and continuous improvement initiatives
• Manage commercial terms and central contractual agreements for suppliers
• Consolidate expenditure and suppliers where appropriate
• Negotiate and draft contracts for key vendors
• Use electronic tendering, auctions, and Scanmarket eSourcing platforms
• Monitor supplier SLAs and KPIs and implement recovery measures
• Engage internal stakeholders and present supply chain optimisation opportunities and impacts
• Follow up on delivery queries and shortages with suppliers
• Support menu development for accountable airlines through product/service sourcing and pricing
• Adhere to compliance procedures and implement procurement processes, policies, guidelines, and projects

Requirements

• Ideally sourcing and category management experience within indirect food production
• Market knowledge and procurement best practice
• Good negotiation skills and an ability to influence key decision makers
• Experience of delivering change
• Ideally qualified in project management such as Prince2
• Track record of commercial acumen
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Highly analytical and methodical approach
• Ability to structure workload, to plan and multi-task efficiently
• Competent with eProcurement platforms and IT solutions
• CIPS qualification or relevant industry experience

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in procurement strategy, category management, and supplier performance management, with a strong focus on negotiation, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Proficient in utilizing eProcurement platforms to optimize supply chain processes and drive commercial objectives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Sourcing And Category Management
• Negotiation Skills
• EProcurement Platforms
• CIPS Qualification
• Project Management (Prince2)

Hard Skills

• Supplier Performance Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Commercial Acumen
• Expenditure Consolidation
• Supplier SLA Monitoring
• Change Management
• Analytical Skills
• Workload Structuring
• Multi-Tasking

Soft Skills

• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Influencing Skills

Certifications & Qualifications

• CIPS Qualification
• Prince2 Certification

Industry Keywords

• Indirect Food Production
• Procurement Best Practice
• Compliance Procedures
• Procurement Processes
• Supply Chain Optimization

Tools & Technologies

• Scanmarket eSourcing
• Electronic Tendering
• Auctions