Procurement Manager

BRAINBiocatalysts | Products & Solutions; Nantgarw; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BRAIN Biocatalysts in Cardiff, UK, seeks a senior leader to head global purchasing. You will lead the purchasing function and develop the purchasing team, combining strategic procurement with day-to-day execution to secure supply of enzymes and ingredients used in food processing.

This role focuses on cost control, supplier continuity, and regulatory compliance across regions, with responsibility for supplier management tools, risk mitigation, and procurement governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead global sourcing for enzymes and raw materials, evaluating supplier performance and reliability.
• Develop and manage supplier performance metrics and annual feedback loops.
• Drive cost reduction through strategic procurement and TCO analyses.

Job description

About BRAIN Biocatalysts

BRAIN Biocatalysts operates as the commercial division of BRAIN Biotech Group (FRA:BNN), based in Zwingenberg (Germany). We serve customers globally in markets such as food, baking, beverage and life science, with a view to "become and stay the world's leading speciality enzyme company and by the quality and dedication of our people, exceed our customers' expectations". BRAIN Biocatalysts operates across locations in Zwingenberg (Germany), Cardiff (UK), Nieuwkuijk (NL) and Tampa, FL (USA).

Purpose of Role

Lead the global purchasing function and develop the purchasing team.

Combine strategic procurement and supplier management with oversight of day-to-day purchasing execution.

Secure the global supply of specialized enzymes and ingredients used in baking, dairy, brewing, and other food processing applications, while ensuring strict cost control, technical compliance, and supplier continuity.

Secure the global supply of raw materials and consumables used in fermentation.

Lead procurement of services and third-party manufacturing partners used across the organization, focusing on the categories with the highest financial and operational impact.

Develop and evolve Robust Supplier Management tools and KPIs, responsible for Supplier Compliance and meeting EHS reporting requirements. Strengthen procurement processes, governance, systems, and commercial discipline.

Develop cost reduction strategies that deliver against Financial KPIs (Gross Margin)

Develop clear risk mitigation strategies

Expected Activities

Technical Sourcing: Lead global sourcing for diverse enzyme categories, evaluating suppliers on product performance and supplier reliability

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Manage relationships with major global enzyme producers and biotechnology firms, securing long-term supply agreements where necessary. Develop & manage an effective range of supplier performance measures and monitor continuously. Provide annual feedback to suppliers. Develop strong relationships with suppliers

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Analyse enzyme concentration levels and application yields against pricing to negotiate contracts based on active ingredient value rather than just gross volume.

Develop, implement and document broad range of cost reduction strategies that deliver against Financial KPIs by

• Using improved RM forecasting and relationships with suppliers to improve buying power, leverage on pricing and longer payment terms with suppliers
• Strive to identify and qualify (with QC) alternative RM suppliers, especially for mono-supplier situations, in order to make suppliers pricing as competitive as possible

Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensure all enzymes comply with strict food safety certifications (e.g., Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Halal, GFSI, and FDA/EFSA regulations).

Cold-Chain & Third Party Management: Oversee specialized logistics to maintain strict temperature controls, ensuring enzyme activity and stability are not compromised during transit or storage. Managing Third party Tolling and warehouse contracts.

Product Management and Quality Alignment: Partner closely with internal Food Scientists and Quality Assurance teams to evaluate new enzyme alternatives, validate trial batches, and approve backup vendors.