We are currently recruiting for a Supplier Partnerships Manager to join a well-established and growing business within the food manufacturing sector. This is a key role within the Quality & NPD function, responsible for developing strategic supplier relationships and ensuring high standards across raw materials and outsourced finished products.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Supplier Manager, Procurement professional or Supply Chain specialist with a background in food, ingredients or a related manufacturing environment.
The Role
As Supplier Partnerships Manager, you will take ownership of supplier performance across quality, service and feed safety, working closely with internal teams and external suppliers to maintain a resilient and high-performing supply chain.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing and maintaining long-term relationships with key raw material and ingredient suppliers.
- Managing supplier performance across quality, service, delivery and feed safety.
- Conducting supplier visits, business reviews, audits and performance evaluations.
- Leading root cause analysis and corrective action plans relating to raw material quality issues and non-conformances.
- Working closely with Quality, NPD, Purchasing, Planning and Operations teams to manage supply risks and minimise disruption.
- Supporting ingredient qualification, formulation changes and sourcing for new product development.
- Identifying opportunities for cost savings, alternative ingredients and supply optimisation while maintaining quality and safety standards.
- Maintaining supplier approvals, certifications, specifications, audits and risk assessments.
- Supporting raw material trials and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identifying opportunities to improve supplier quality checks and raw material specifications.
- Supporting responsible sourcing and environmental initiatives.
- Managing and developing a Technical Assistant.
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- 5+ years' experience in procurement, supplier management or supply chain, ideally within food, pet food or ingredients.
- Strong knowledge of relevant raw material categories, particularly proteins, grains, additives, vitamins and minerals.
- Experience working within the meat industry, including knowledge of animal anatomy, slaughter processes, animal welfare and raw material handling.
- Previous supplier auditing experience, ideally with a Lead Auditor qualification.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to build effective supplier relationships.
- Experience working cross-functionally and influencing stakeholders.
- A strategic and commercially minded approach, combined with strong attention to detail.
- Good IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- The flexibility to travel 2–3 days per week, both domestically and internationally, to suppliers and manufacturing sites.
Experience within pet food manufacturing, sustainability/responsible sourcing, NPD or R&D would be advantageous.
What's on Offer?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and growing manufacturing business in a role offering significant responsibility, supplier exposure and the opportunity to influence the wider supply chain and product development strategy.
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lancashire
