The Role – Senior Category Buyer
Our Client a Global leader in producing , sourcing and distributing fresh produce is currently recruiting for a Category Buyer , in this role you will lead, optimise and execute the buying and selling strategies to sustainably grow our clients category sales, increase market share and profits, whilst also improving quality and availability for customers. This category is an important area of Produce and you’ll truly be at the forefront of their business
The Candidate
- Working within the fresh food industry as a Buyer with a minimum of 4-5 years of experience within a similar role
- Ability to demonstrate strong team, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Experienced in buying and selling strategies and key supplier negotiations
- Negotiation and Analysis driving efficiency and reducing costs
- A great team player and enthusiasm for working in a high performing cross functional team
- Ability to build strong relationships and influence key stakeholders
- Clear and effective communication skills
- Analytical thinking and ability to turn complex information into clear opportunities and decisions
- Ability to lead projects and teams to deliver excellent results
- Problem solving under pressure and working at pace
As a Buyer you will be :
- Analysis of Customer, market and product data, as well as key industry insights
- Proven experience of contract and supply negotiation.
- Ensuring engaged with the right suppliers through competitive tender processes, negotiation and analyse the end-to-end supply chains for your product, to drive efficiency and save cost.
- Selling strategy: Building your price and promotional plans and agreeing funding with your suppliers
- Manage the on-going performance of suppliers and product range with responsibility for maintaining and developing margin for the product range and category.
- Participate in supplier approval processes ensuring compliance with all due diligence prior to acceptance.
- Accountable for stock level management with due consideration to storage capacity & costs, quality, use and best purchasing price
- Proven experience of working to strict deadlines with the ability to accurately and methodically multitask.
- An understanding of the global seasonal effects and the ability to source from alternative suppliers.
- Strong skills in the MS office package including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook with high levels of numeracy and literacy essential
- Identifying key trends in the market that capitalise on these trends
- Reporting on performance at weekly and periodic sales meetings
- Presenting to senior stakeholders in the business to gain support for key decisions or strategic projects
Our Produce Team would love to see:
- Ensure continuation of year round supply
- Gain a thorough understanding of the supply chain with particular attention to cost, yield and waste components with a view to deliver cost savings to enhance and protect margin delivery.
- An understanding of the global seasonal effects and the ability to source from alternative suppliers.
