Food Buyer

Our client is a leading supplier of premium fresh fish and seafood to the catering industry across the North West of England. They specialize in sourcing, preparing, and delivering both fresh and frozen fish and seafood directly to professional kitchens.
Job Purpose:
To maximise the long-term profitability of a specified category of products, whilst achieving budgeted income & term targets. To ensure that the company remains highly competitive in terms of its true nett cost prices and establishing successful supplier partnerships. Above all the Buyer will work towards delivering the overall Company strategy & plans which ultimately drives excellence in customer service and the company’s overalls sales & profit targets.
This role includes:
* Negotiating and managing the lowest nett delivered product cost for the company (including and not limited to: the best cost effective Route to Market options, a timely Tender management programme, and ensuring that every interface with suppliers allows for reduction in cost, increasing income and extracting value )
* Overseeing and ensuring the accurate maintenance of product and cost price files on the central operating system – preventing any margin losses and data errors
* Negotiating, generating & managing all Buying Income & Terms with suppliers.
* Managing an effective supplier selection process for trading and compliance to the Commercial guides and Inventory Terms & Conditions
* Being proactively aware of supplier, market and competitor developments across all areas of responsibility and to take appropriate action to ensure that the Company obtains and maintains a leading market profile.
* Actively contributing to and implementation of the Range Optimisation Control process in order to achieve an effective balance & range offering for customers
You’ll have:
* Strong influencing and negotiating skills in managing product costs and income generation.
* Commercially-aware purchasing professional with category & food market knowledge and relevant experience gained in a similar role.
* Ability to develop and implement category plans with the Category Managers and achieve annual targets.
* Operate an effective Range Management Programme with agreed set of KPI’s
* An awareness of latest industry practices and supplier bases.
* Financially astute in managing & reconciling income and terms, plus budget setting
* Managing multiple tasks & stakeholders internally & externally.
* Implement Best Practice at all times and continually look at innovative and enhanced ways of working to improve & better develop outputs & results.
* Professional and logical approach to problem solving
* Good enthusiasm to grow and work as part of the team
* Flexibility in approach to work
* To show a willingness to learn and self – development
* Good communication skills
* Ability to work to deadlines in an efficient manner
* Demonstrates an interest in food service and shows an ability to turn facts and figures into measured decision making
* Strong administrative skill set
* Highly organised and has a proactive approach to planning
* Has a keen eye for detail
* Can demonstrate the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise effectively
* Can work independently and as part of a team
* Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, MS Word and Excel)
What you’ll get:
Pension
Discounts on our products
Access to an Employee Assistance Program
Free parking
Please send your CV with a covering letter including reference - Buyer