Procurement Manager - Chocolate & Ingredients

Zertus UK & Ireland; Quarrington; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational confectionery company is seeking a Procurement Manager to lead procurement for chocolate and ingredients. The role involves managing a team and collaborating with internal stakeholders while ensuring supplier performance. The ideal candidate has experience in FMCG procurement and excellent negotiation skills. This position offers a competitive salary, annual bonus, and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Annual bonus plan

Healthcare cash plan

33 days holiday

Training and Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the procurement of raw materials within an FMCG environment.
• A passion for chocolate and ingredients with a strategic mindset.
• Experience with procurement tools and data platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy for chocolate and ingredients.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance.
• Develop sourcing plans and supplier relationships.

Skills

Procurement of raw materials

Supplier negotiation

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

MCIPs Qualified

Tools

Mintec

Power BI

e-sourcing platforms

Job description

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Overview

Procurement Manager (Chocolate & Ingredients)

Zertus UK & Ireland (Humdinger, Kinnerton Confectionery & Lir Chocolates) - Hybrid

Position type: Permanent; Full-time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week

Pay range: £50,000 - £60,000

Key Benefits: Annual bonus plan; International travel; CIPS membership fee's covered; Healthcare cash plan; 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holiday's; Hybrid working

Location: We have manufacturing sites and offices across the UK & Ireland, including Heckington (Lincolnshire), Bromborough (Wirral) Fakenham (Norfolk), Hull (East Yorkhire), Navan (Meath, Ireland) and Sherburn in Elmet (Leeds). While the role involves travel to our UK and Irish sites, as well as international supplier visits and internal meetings, we welcome hybrid working and are happy to discuss base location during the interview process.

Join Zertus UK&I as our new Procurement Manager - Chocolate & Ingredients, where you'll lead procurement for one of the most exciting and high-impact categories in our group. Managing a significant spend across 300 suppliers, this role is central to sourcing the chocolate and ingredients from across the globe.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement strategy for chocolate and ingredients across UK&I, demonstrating deep market knowledge and commercial acumen.
• Manage a team of two (Category Buyer and Procurement Analyst) with direct responsibility for the Buyer.
• Develop sourcing plans and supplier relationships across the categories.
• Negotiate contracts and manage supplier performance using tools like Mintec, Power BI, and e-sourcing platforms.
• Travel internationally for trade shows, and supplier sites.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across Commercial, Finance, Supply Chain, and NPD.
• Participate in quarterly team get-togethers with team building and training events.
• Deputise for the Head of Procurement and contribute to group-wide initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the procurement of raw materials within an FMCG environment.
• A passion for chocolate and ingredients with a strategic mindset.
• Global Purchasing, commodity and category management experience.
• Contract law exposure.
• Experience with procurement tools and data platforms (Mintec, Power BI, e-sourcing)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• MCIPs Qualified.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and manage stakeholders at all levels.
• Decisive with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent supplier negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel across the UK, Ireland and internationally.
• People management experience with the ability to inspire and develop other procurement professionals.

Rewards Benefits

• Hybrid working (a great combo of time to collaborate with stakeholders and quiet time away from the hussle and bustle).
• Annual bonus of up to 10% - subject to meeting scheme criteria (because who doesn't love a bonus).
• Pension (4% Employer Contributions) & Life Assurance Scheme at x4 basic salary.
• Health Care Cash Plan via Paycare (physio, dental, optical care...because your wellbeing is important to us).
• Holiday Purchase Salary Sacrifice Scheme - buy up to one extra week per year (subject to meeting minimum criteria).
• Cycle to Work & Electrical Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme - subject to meeting minimum criteria (because the environment is important to us).
• Family friendly policies including hybrid working opportunities and Maternity and Paternity leave above statutory minimum (because family time is important).
• Annual engagement calendar, volunteering days and wellbeing events.
• Monthly employee recognition scheme via the 'Zertus Values Awards'.
• Recruitment Refer a Friend rewards.
• Training and Development Opportunities (Leadership courses, External qualifications, Professional membership fee's).

About Us

Zertus UK & Ireland brings together Humdinger Foods, Kinnerton Confectionery, and Lir Chocolates - three brilliant businesses crafting snacks and chocolates that people love. From brands like Lir Chocolates, Kinnerton Kids, NOMO, Sun Valley Nuts, and The Fruit Factory, to exciting collaborations with Bailey's, Guinness, and Budweiser, we're all about creating products that delight. We're part of the Zertus Group, a European network headquartered in Hamburg, with over 2,000 colleagues across the continent.

Application & Interview Process

Zertus is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Your application will be reviewed and entered into the selection process, if successful you will receive a call or email from a member of our Recruitment or HR Team (PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK MAIL), if successful, your application will be sent to the hiring manager for review, if successful, you will attend two stage interview process.

Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or adjustments to be made for your interview by speaking with the Talent Acquisition team at application stage. The provision of this information is likely to include special category data and is therefore covered by data protection laws. We ask for this information so that we are fully aware of any adjustments needed and we will use the information provided to inform our decisions about making those changes.