Purchasing Manager - FMCG - #2167168

Competitive plus excellent benefits

South Manchester – Hybrid Working

B Corp certified company

Hybrid & Flexible Working & Dog friendly office!

Looking for a new challenge? Wanting to work for reputable organisation who genuinely offers excellent career development, excellent holidays, pension, free car parking, free gym, private healthcare and so much more?

Our client is a well-established distributor that is dedicated to delivering high-quality and innovative products. Due to their ever-expanding growth they are now seeking Procurement Managers and Buyers to join their team. The business is well respected and successful -its success is based on great products, hard work, flexibility, and innovation and delivering results.

Job Purpose:

To actively manage the network of suppliers to build a resilient and cost-effective supply chain that delivers the cost, quality and innovation requirements of the business.

Key Responsibilities:

This role deals with a wide variety of tasks including, but not limited to the following:

• Manage changes to suppliers and products, and assist with supplier onboarding;
• Build long-term supplier partnerships aligned to business strategy;
• Own the supplier relationships, chairing frequent supplier update meetings (cross-functional);
• Manage supplier performance through KPI’s, scorecards and structured business reviews;
• Work with suppliers to identify supply chain risks and develop robust contingency and dual-source options eg. Packaging;
• Collaborate with supply chain & operations teams;
• Frequent visits to suppliers;
• Lead commercial negotiations covering price, service levels, quality and contracts;
• Deliver annual cost savings ahead of budget;
• Understand and track commodity markets;
• Implement Better, Simpler, Cheaper cost-reduction program;
• Manage relevant tasks in the Stage & Gate process in order to deliver NPD/EPD projects on time;
• Drive supplier innovation and partner with Innovation team to launch NPD at pace;
• Work alongside Technical team to deliver products to specification;
• Attend trade shows and conferences;
• Ensure suppliers are aligned to the ESG requirements of the company.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• FMCG Experience: Proven track record working in a procurement role within a fast-moving consumer goods environment/retailer, ideally within food or pet care;
• Contract & Negotiation Evidence: Demonstrable experience leading complex commercial negotiations and delivering measurable annual cost-saving targets;
• Supplier Relationship Management: Proven experience managing end-to-end supplier onboarding, implementing set KPIs/scorecards, and chairing structured, cross-functional business reviews;
• Stakeholder Management: Able to communicate effectively with stakeholders internal & external, at all levels;
• Risk & Contingency Planning: Practical experience in mapping supply chain risks and successfully implementing dual-sourcing strategies;
• NPD Track Record: Experience partnering directly with Innovation/R&D teams to bring New Product Development projects to market rapidly and seamlessly;
• Financial & Commercial Acumen: Strong ability to track global commodity markets, and manage cost-efficiency frameworks (e.g., "Better, Simpler, Cheaper" concepts);
• Numerate: candidate must be highly numerate, with excellent attention to detail;
• Time Management: must be comfortable managing numerous projects and tasks at any given time, showing an ability to prioritise to business requirements;
• Mobility: Willingness and flexibility to undertake frequent travel for on-site supplier visits;
• IT Skills: Strong Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint and Database skills, preferably with knowledge of AI applications within procurement.

Desirable

• Pet Food Industry Experience: Prior procurement experience within the pet food sector;
• Far East Sourcing Experience: Experience of sourcing from suppliers and factories in the Far East;
• Professional Qualification: MCIPS (Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) status or actively working towards it;
• ESG & Sustainability Knowledge: Experience aligning a supplier base against stringent ESG frameworks and carbon-reduction targets;

Based in South Manchester, not far from Manchester Airport they also have great public transport links.

Apply online or further information please contact one of our specialist consultants quoting reference number: NJR17061