Buyer - Fresh Produce

Job title: Produce Buyer - Fresh Produce Industry

Location: Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

Salary: Negotiable, up to £50k.

Company Overview:

Our client, a leading supplier in the fresh produce industry, is committed to delivering top-quality products from seed to fork. With a focus on excellence and continuous improvement, company foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. A new position became available for a dynamic and experienced Produce Buyer to join their team and help drive the business forward.

Role Overview:

As a Produce Buyer, you will be pivotal in ensuring timely and full supply of competitively priced fresh produce across all operational sites. Your responsibilities will include global sourcing, building, and managing supplier relationships for fruits and vegetables, negotiating optimal value for the business, and maintaining the quality and profitability of the product range. Your industry expertise will be crucial in securing a consistent year-round supply, expanding market share, and providing vital support to key internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Stay informed with market intelligence to secure the best deals on volume and cost.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with growers and suppliers, providing them with short, medium, and long-term programs.
• Manage supplier performance and product range, ensuring the development and maintenance of product margins.
• Participate in supplier approval processes, ensuring compliance with all due diligence requirements.
• Oversee stock level management, considering storage capacity, costs, quality, and purchasing prices.
• Ensure continuous year-round supply, identifying complementary sources to enhance market share.
• Play a key role in product development, supporting internal stakeholders with effective sourcing support.
• Maintain an up-to-date database of all growers, suppliers, and cost analyses.
• Ensure the ongoing effectiveness and accuracy of the ERP system.
• Collaborate closely with Commercial, Logistics, Finance, Quality, and Product Delivery departments.
• Diligently manage purchase orders, resolving issues related to quality, quantity, and carriage.
• Analyse the supply chain with a focus on cost, yield, and waste, delivering cost savings to enhance margin delivery.
• Stay commercially aware of customer strategies, working in partnership with the Commercial team to maintain and win new business.
• Lead project management efforts to drive year-on-year target improvements in KPI delivery.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree educated and/or equivalent vocational qualification.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Buyer in the fresh produce industry, in a high-pressure role.
• Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) qualified, minimum certificate level.
• Proven experience in contract and supply negotiation.
• Advanced skills in MS Office, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong understanding of the entire supply chain, including air, sea, and land freight.
• Experience working to strict deadlines with the ability to multitask effectively.
• Understanding of global seasonal effects and sourcing from alternative suppliers.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to analyse complex issues and take decisive action.
• Good experience in Health & Safety within a manufacturing environment.

Languages:

• Fluent in English (written and verbal).
• Additional languages, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, are advantageous.

Mobility:

• Full UK driving license and willingness to travel between sites and to suppliers.
• Valid passport for international travel.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. If you have a passion for fresh produce and a proven track record in buying, we'd love to hear from you.