Senior Category Buyer – Meat

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading distributor in the UK’s fine food industry as a Senior Category Buyer for Meat. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to lead the meat category, manage supplier relationships, and mentor a dedicated team. You will drive procurement excellence and process improvements while working with premium suppliers and elite clients. If you are passionate about quality meat products and thrive in a high-performance environment, this position is perfect for you. Be part of a respected company that values quality and service in the food sector.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in purchasing within food or FMCG, especially meat.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement cycle for the meat category, driving improvements.
• Manage supplier relationships and mentor a team of buyers.

Skills

Procurement

Supplier Negotiation

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Experience in Food or FMCG Purchasing

Tools

ERP Systems

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Category Buyer - Meat to join a leading importer and distributor of fine food products, known for supplying the UK’s most prestigious restaurants, hotels, and high-end retailers.

This role will take ownership of the meat category, managing supplier relationships, leading a small team, and ensuring best-in-class sourcing, stock control, and commercial performance within the business’s purchasing and supply chain function.

Professionals with a strong background in meat procurement, supplier negotiation, and team leadership are encouraged to apply. This role offers a fantastic platform for those looking to make a significant impact in a high-performance, premium food environment.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be accountable for the full procurement cycle of the meat category, driving improvements across processes, relationships, and results.

Main responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the meat product category, including range reviews, cost negotiations, and supplier performance.
• Managing and mentoring a team of buyers to ensure best practices in ordering and supplier coordination.
• Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, including onboarding, KPI development, and regular reviews.
• Coordinating inbound logistics with third-party providers and liaising with internal departments such as warehousing and sales.
• Overseeing product data, pricing accuracy, and landed cost calculations within the ERP system.
• Monitoring stock levels to meet availability and net working capital targets.
• Authorising supplier invoices and supporting the finance function with accurate pricing data.
• Driving process improvements and identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising on quality or service.
• Deputising for the Purchasing Manager when required, maintaining department performance and standards.

Your Skills & Experience

The ideal candidate will be a proactive and commercially astute professional with a genuine passion for quality meat products and a strong background in procurement

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in a purchasing role within food or FMCG; previous category ownership of meat or protein products is essential.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate a small team.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
• Confident working with ERP systems and proficient in Excel and PowerPoint.
• A “can-do” attitude with strong problem-solving capabilities and a keen eye for detail.
• A genuine interest in premium food products and high standards of service.

This is a chance to work at the heart of the UK’s fine food industry, managing a flagship category for a respected distributor, with exposure to premium suppliers and elite clients across the hospitality sector.