Frozen Food Buyer

**Frozen Food/Category Buyer**

**Location: UK, based in Heywood site**

**Introduction**

Lineage is the world's largest and most innovative provider of temperature-controlled logistics solutions with more than 22,000 employees across over 400 locations and spanning 20 countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. Working at Lineage is an opportunity to innovate and put your mark on how food moves from the farm to dinner tables around the world.

Part of Lineage are Yearsley Food Group - who work directly with Frozen Food Customers to keep Wholesalers, Restaurants, Takeaways, Retailers, Schools, Hospitals, Prisons, Pub Chains etc. stocked and supplied with a wide variety of Frozen Food.

**The role**

We are looking for a Category Buyer to join our growing Yearsley Food Sales team at Lineage with an ideal location at our Heywood office, there will also be the requirement to travel to other locations in the UK. You will be reporting directly to the Purchasing Manager and work as part of the Yearsley Food Sales Team. This is a role that would suit someone that understands the buying process and is eager to learn more. Full support and training will be given. We have a sociable work environment with good opportunities to learn and therefore progress internally.

Salary Negotiable, depending on experience, plus company benefits.

We are looking for approx. 2-5 years' experience in buying, frozen food preferred.

Office based Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:30 with 1 hour for lunch

**Responsibilities**:

- Manage supplier relationships and develop an effective business partnership with each supplier. Negotiate terms and prices, monitor their performance in your category and maintain good practice at all times.
- Agree key aims and objectives with the Procurement Manager for each supplier targeting products, pricing, promotions and bonuses, growth incentives and marketing support for their brands to be featured on our company platforms.
- Collaborate work with procurement colleagues and other departments - stock control, marketing, sales, finance, and operations as required.
- Participate in product review meetings presenting market and product data with an analytical approach to market development and new product trends. Work closely with the Procurement Assistant and Administrator to support, improve and evolve our category management approach to the procurement department.
- Offer suggestions to improve the overall efficiency of the department and its key functions.
- Monitor and analyze competitor/ market activity.
- Source new suppliers and develop strong relationships to secure best products and pricing.
- Manage and plan promotional product focus weeks with suppliers in conjunction with the agreed promotional calendar.

This is a description of your duties and responsibilities at the present time, however this is not an exhaustive list and other duties may be required in line with the current and future needs of the business.

**Who we're looking for**:
We are looking for a service minded Category Buyer that enjoys working on changing priorities and can work on multiple accounts building great relationships. Working as part of a global company you will work with a broad range of suppliers, working in conjunction with the sales team to achieve the best results.

**Essential requirements**:

- Previous working experience as a Category Manager and/or buyer for two years or more
- Good understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and data analysis
- Ideally have knowledge of the Foodservice Industry and product ranges
- Strong negotiating skills and the ability to multitask
- Excellent communication skills
- Team player
- Interest in food/food trends
- Full UK Driving License

**What's in it for me?**
- Annual salary depending on previous experience. We'll discuss your expectations upon screening.
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays), the opportunity to earn additional holidays each year up to an extra week after 5 years. Plus 8 hours volunteer time per year that you can use during working hours.
- Free onsite car park
- Social environment with a team who like to support each other to achieve goals, with recognition schemes and shared spaces to enjoy lunch and rest breaks together
- Support your emotional well-being with access to a 24/7 employee assistance phone line offering confidential free counselling and advice

**Lineage is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful harassment and retaliation. Lineage will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, colour, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability or any other protected status under federal, state and local law.**

Job reference: INDUK

**Why Lineage?**

We are a global company with more than 22,000 employees spanning 20 countries and more than 400 locations across North