About the Role:

We are seeking a commercially minded Procurement Buyer to join our team, supporting procurement activities across two manufacturing sites in Crediton, Devon and Birdham, West Sussex.

This is a key role responsible for ensuring the timely and cost-effective sourcing of raw materials, packaging, and operational supplies. Working closely with Production, Planning, Technical, NPD, Finance, and Senior Management teams, you will play a critical role in maintaining supply continuity, managing supplier relationships, driving cost savings, and supporting operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage procurement activities across both manufacturing sites, ensuring continuity of supply and cost-effective purchasing.
• Take responsibility for order placement, material replenishment, supplier performance, and supply-demand alignment.
• Monitor, evaluate, and continuously improve supplier performance against agreed delivery and service requirements.
• Work closely with site and senior management teams to ensure suppliers operate within agreed contracts and service levels.
• Collaborate with planning teams to maintain lean stock levels while ensuring products and materials are available on time and in full.
• Source the most competitive materials and services through effective supplier management, market research, and regular price benchmarking.
• Maintain accurate purchasing records and full traceability using Sage 200 and associated systems.
• Proactively chase suppliers to ensure purchase orders are delivered according to agreed schedules.
• Resolve supply issues quickly and effectively.
• Manage purchasing expenditure in line with agreed budgets.
• Ensure contingency suppliers are in place for all critical raw materials and packaging items.
• Work with the Technical team to maintain approved supplier documentation and ensure audit readiness at all times.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities through negotiation, relationship management, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, including regular review meetings with key suppliers.
• Resolve supplier disputes, invoice queries, and delivery note discrepancies in a timely and professional manner.
• Support New Product Development (NPD) projects with procurement-related activities.
• Produce and report procurement KPIs, ensuring targets are achieved and deadlines met.

About You:

You will be a highly organised procurement professional with strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to manage supplier relationships in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in a purchasing, buying, or procurement role.
• Excellent planning, organisational, and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and cost-management experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience using Sage 200 or similar ERP systems.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience within a food manufacturing environment.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of supplier auditing requirements and quality management systems.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to join a growing and innovative manufacturing business.
• The chance to make a significant impact on procurement performance and business success.

If you are a proactive procurement professional with a passion for supplier management, cost optimisation, and operational excellence, we would love to hear from you!

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chichester PO20 7BT: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• What are your salary expectations?

Experience:

• Procurement: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person