Category Buyer - Ingredients / Raw Materials

A strong opportunity for an ambitious direct procurement professional to build category buying experience with a leading UK food manufacturer.

Northamptonshire
Hybrid working - 3 days in the office, usually Tuesday to Thursday
Permanent
£42,000-£48,000 + bonus + double pension + benefits

This is a great opportunity to join a leading UK food manufacturer in a Category Buyer role focused on ingredients and raw materials.

The business is strengthening its procurement function and investing in capability at Buyer level, creating a strong development opportunity for someone who wants to build broader category management experience.

You'll support sourcing activity across defined ingredient spend areas, working closely with senior procurement colleagues, suppliers and internal stakeholders. The role will involve RFx activity, supplier engagement, contract support, data analysis, reporting and commercial follow-through.

The category scope can be shaped around experience, but could include areas such as sugar, chocolate, cocoa, premixes, additives or flavourings.

You'll be involved in:

• Running RFx events and tenders in line with category sourcing plans
• Managing supplier communication, bid processes, clarifications and timelines
• Supporting category plans through analysis, reporting and commercial insight
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating simple to medium-complexity commercial agreements
• Tracking supplier performance, savings, risk, compliance and improvement activity
• Working with stakeholders to understand requirements and challenge assumptions with data
• Maintaining accurate supplier, contract, pricing and procurement records

This role would suit someone with procurement, sourcing or commercial operations experience who is ready to step into a broader category buying role.

You'll need to be organised, analytical and confident working with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing or another fast-paced environment would be useful, but the key requirement is strong sourcing discipline, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Direct procurement, raw materials or ingredients experience would be particularly relevant.

This is a strong development role for someone who wants more category exposure, not just a narrow buying position.

You'll be joining a recognised food manufacturing environment with investment in procurement capability, digital tools, analytics and supplier management. There is scope to build technical procurement skills, develop commercial confidence and progress towards broader category management responsibility.

The package includes a salary of £42,000-£48,000, bonus opportunity and a strong wider benefits package.

If you're interested in learning more, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation.