Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer
Location: Southall, Middlesex
Salary: £60,000 depending on experience
Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm (occasional Saturday may be required during busy periods)

Our client, a well-established food manufacturing business based in Southall Middlesex, is currently looking to recruit an experienced Senior Buyer to lead their purchasing function. This is a key position responsible for ensuring procurement strategies support both current operations and future growth while maintaining cost efficiency quality compliance and continuity of supply.

Reporting to the Director the successful candidate will also oversee stock control warehouse operations and distribution performance to ensure the business operates efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement and Supply Strategy

• Develop and implement supplier and sourcing strategies to achieve the lowest total cost while maintaining quality and service
• Maintain purchasing policies and procedures to ensure consistent procurement practices
• Lead purchasing projects and evaluate rent versus buy decisions where required
• Manage outsourcing strategies and supplier accreditation frameworks

Supplier and Contract Management

• Manage supplier relationships performance reviews and service level agreements
• Negotiate draft and manage purchasing contracts and payment terms
• Drive cost saving initiatives and manage savings targets

Stock Warehouse and Distribution

• Oversee stock and materials to ensure production continuity and optimal inventory levels
• Manage warehouse operations ensuring efficiency compliance and cost control
• Oversee distribution and logistics performance while reducing waste and obsolescence

Compliance and Regulatory

• Ensure compliance with packaging and transport regulations
• Communicate regulatory updates internally and support audit and technical compliance activities

Administration and Reporting

• Provide procurement reporting performance analysis and KPI updates to the Director
• Maintain accurate purchasing supplier and contract documentation

Knowledge Skills and Experience

Education

• Degree level education
• CIPS qualification desirable

Technical Skills

• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Excel PowerPoint and Word
• SAP and Microsoft Dynamics system experience desirable
• Lean manufacturing and waste reduction experience advantageous

Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience in a managerial role
• Strong negotiation and supplier management experience
• Experience managing stock and warehouse operations
• Commercially aware with a proactive approach

Measures of Successful Performance

Performance will be measured against site and business KPIs including

• Service level performance
• Technical audit results
• Customer complaints
• Rejections and credits
• Cost saving targets achieved
• Supplier performance metrics
• Stock accuracy and working capital control

If you are an experienced procurement professional looking to take the next step in your career within a growing food manufacturing business please apply below.