Category Buyer (Ingredients)
hace 2 días
Erith
Main Purpose of Job To lead and manage the strategic sourcing, procurement, and development of designated Ingredient categories across the Group, including full ownership of sourcing and approval of all new ingredients for NPD and innovation projects. The role is responsible for delivering a cost-effective, innovative, sustainable and secure ingredient supply base aligned to business growth, operational, commercial and quality objectives. Key Responsibilities Category Strategy & Ownership • Develop and implement clear category strategies including supplier, market and supply chain analysis., • Lead strategic sourcing activity for designated ingredient categories., • Align supply base with ethical, environmental, regulatory and sustainability policies., • Lead the sourcing, approval and commercial negotiation of all new ingredients required for NPD, innovation and reformulation projects., • Work closely with NPD, Technical, Operations and Commercial teams to ensure timely and compliant ingredient approval., • Identify and introduce innovative suppliers and materials to support product development pipeline., • Ensure new ingredients meet cost, quality, safety, regulatory and sustainability requirements prior to approval., • Conduct regular structured supplier reviews including performance, quality, cost and innovation metrics., • Lead joint development initiatives with key suppliers., • Drive continuous improvement (CI) activity within the supply base., • Establish contingency and dual-sourcing strategies for critical materials., • Deliver annual cost reduction targets and maintain a live cost-saving pipeline., • Lead contract negotiations, renewals and tender processes using best practice techniques., • Monitor and report monthly on PPV with corrective action plans., • Provide accurate pricing forecasts and cost movement analysis to Commercial teams., • Partner cross-functionally with Innovation, NPD, Operations, Finance, Sales and Supply Chain., • Support Head of Procurement when required., • Ensure ingredient quality is delivered through robust supply chain management., • Drive supplier compliance to food safety, regulatory and ethical standards., • Support internal audits and supplier technical reviews. Knowledge & Experience Essential level of knowledge, qualification, training and experience necessary to enable the Jobholder to perform the job to an acceptable standard Qualifications and Experience Essential • Minimum 3+ years’ experience in Food Ingredients procurement within FMCG or similar., • Proven supplier negotiation experience., • Experience supporting NPD ingredient sourcing and approval., • Strong commercial and analytical capability., • Category-led procurement experience., • CIPS qualification (or working towards)., • Degree-level education., • CI training (Lean/Six Sigma)., • Strong understanding of food ingredient materials and processes. Skills and Attributes • Strong commercial acumen., • Excellent influencing skills at all levels., • Ability to operate independently and strategically., • Strong analytical and data interpretation skills., • Effective cross-functional communicator., • Willingness to travel regularly.
