About the Role:
We are seeking a commercially minded Procurement Buyer to join our team, supporting procurement activities across two manufacturing sites in Crediton, Devon and Birdham, West Sussex.
This is a key role responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies. Working closely with Production, Planning, Technical, NPD, Finance, and Senior Management teams, you will play a critical role in maintaining supply continuity, managing supplier relationships, driving cost savings, and supporting operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage procurement activities across both manufacturing sites, ensuring continuity of supply and cost-effective purchasing.
- Take responsibility for order placement, material replenishment, supplier performance, and supply-demand alignment.
- Monitor, evaluate, and continuously improve supplier performance against agreed delivery and service requirements.
- Work closely with site and senior management teams to ensure suppliers operate within agreed contracts and service levels.
- Collaborate with planning teams to maintain lean stock levels while ensuring products and materials are available on time and in full.
- Source the most competitive materials and services through effective supplier management, market research, and regular price benchmarking.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records and full traceability using Sage 200 and associated systems.
- Proactively chase suppliers to ensure purchase orders are delivered according to agreed schedules.
- Resolve supply issues quickly and effectively.
- Manage purchasing expenditure in line with agreed budgets.
- Ensure contingency suppliers are in place for all critical raw materials and packaging items.
- Work with the Technical team to maintain approved supplier documentation and ensure audit readiness at all times.
- Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities through negotiation, relationship management, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, including regular review meetings with key suppliers.
- Resolve supplier disputes, invoice queries, and delivery note discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
- Support New Product Development (NPD) projects with procurement-related activities.
- Produce and report procurement KPIs, ensuring targets are achieved and deadlines met.
About You:
You will be a highly organised procurement professional with strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to manage supplier relationships in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Previous experience in a purchasing, buying, or procurement role.
- Excellent planning, organisational, and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong commercial awareness and cost-management experience.
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Experience using Sage 200 or similar ERP systems.
Desirable Skills & Experience:
- Previous experience within a food manufacturing environment.
- Advanced Excel skills.
- Knowledge of supplier auditing requirements and quality management systems.
What We Offer:
- Opportunity to join a growing and innovative manufacturing business.
- The chance to make a significant impact on procurement performance and business success.
If you are a proactive procurement professional with a passion for supplier management, cost optimisation, and operational excellence, we would love to hear from you!
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Chichester PO20 7BT: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- What are your salary expectations?
Experience:
- Procurement: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
