Animal Feed ingredients Buyer

A senior animal feed ingredients buyer and straights trader is wanted for the Oakes Milling group incorporating the businesses of HJ Lea Oakes farm feeds and Dodson & Horrell equine. The company operates a number for mills across Cheshire and North Shropshire. The successful applicant will have a basket of commodities and products that they will be immediately responsible for. However, the appointment will be made so that the successful candidate will be able to grow into the role over 12-18 months, becoming the department lead.

Oakes Milling group is looking for someone with a positive mental attitude, determined and resilient, good communicator and team player. It is essential that applicants will be able to become an integral part of the buying team and purchases a portfolio of products for the Oakes Millers Group. It is likely that the candidates exhibit a general interest and understanding in agricultural practices.

Key Responsibilities:

* Understand commodity prices and risk.

* Feedback market trends, risks, and opportunities to the wider commercial team

* Be a key decision maker in the purchasing of raw materials.

* Build relationships with traders and farmers.

* Resolve any supplier issues.

* Purchase non manufactured products and assist in their positioning and sales.

* Keep wider sales team up to speed on raw material market changes.

Key Relationships:

* Internal: The HJ Lea senior leadership team, nutrition, and sales teams

* External: Industry organisations and Key Suppliers

Job Essentials:

* Strong negotiation skills

* Ability to communicate effectively with others and build strong relationships.

* Brilliant with numbers and data analysis

* Excellent problem solver

* Interest in grain market trends

Measures of Success

* To buy competitively

To maintain strong relationships with the group’s suppliers