Senior Buyer

Senior Buyer - Raw Ingredients & Packaging ProcurementFood Manufacturing - Multi-Site - High-Impact FMCG EnvironmentLocation: Newbury, BerkshireSalary: £40-55,000 + benefits + career opportunities + CPD (CIPS)A highly respected and rapidly evolving UK food manufacturing business is seeking an exceptional Buyer to take ownership of strategically critical procurement categories across ingredients and packaging (approximately £20m portfolio) within a fast-paced FMCG manufacturing environment.This is a significant opportunity for an experienced procurement professional who thrives within commercially complex, operationally demanding, and highly collaborative manufacturing businesses. The role offers genuine visibility, influence, and the opportunity to shape category strategy within a business that is investing heavily in operational capability, customer partnerships, innovation, and long-term growth.The organisation operates within a dynamic food manufacturing environment supplying both retail and B2B channels, where procurement plays a central role in protecting margin, maintaining continuity of supply, driving innovation, and supporting wider commercial performance.This is not a transactional buying role.It requires a commercially astute, strategically minded procurement professional capable of operating across supplier markets, manufacturing operations, finance, planning, technical, NPD, and commercial teams to deliver measurable business impact.The OpportunityThe Senior Buyer will hold end-to-end responsibility for a portfolio of strategically important procurement categories spanning raw materials, ingredients, commodities, and packaging.The successful individual will be expected to:Develop and execute category strategies aligned to wider business objectivesManage supplier performance, cost control, and security of supply across critical spend areasOperate confidently within volatile commodity and ingredient marketsLead commercial negotiations with both UK and international suppliersIdentify opportunities for value creation beyond simple cost reductionSupport working capital and inventory optimisation initiativesDrive supplier innovation into the wider businessPartner closely with operational stakeholders to support service, production, and customer requirementsBuild robust procurement governance whilst maintaining pace and agilityThe role requires someone capable of balancing strategic thinking with operational execution.You will need to be equally comfortable negotiating commercial agreements, managing supply risk, influencing senior stakeholders, analysing market movements, supporting manufacturing operations, and challenging suppliers where required.Key Areas of ResponsibilityStrategic Procurement & Category ManagementDevelop robust procurement category strategies across allocated areas of spendCreate short, medium, and long-term sourcing plans aligned to business growth and operational requirementsContinuously analyse supplier markets, commodity movements, inflationary pressures, and broader market dynamicsIdentify opportunities to reduce total cost of ownership whilst protecting quality and serviceLead strategic sourcing activity including tendering, benchmarking, supplier rationalisation, and contract negotiationsDeliver procurement savings, value improvement initiatives, and margin enhancement opportunitiesBuild contingency planning and mitigation strategies for supply chain riskEnsure continuity of supply across critical operational categoriesSupport procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiativesSupplier Management & Commercial LeadershipBuild strong strategic relationships with key suppliers and manufacturing partnersLead supplier negotiations across pricing, contracts, service levels, rebates, payment terms, and performance expectationsConduct supplier performance reviews and drive accountability through structured KPI managementIntroduce joint business planning approaches with strategically important suppliersDrive supplier-led innovation into the business across ingredients, packaging, product development, sustainability, and operational efficiencyChallenge underperformance and implement corrective action where requiredCollaborate with suppliers on cost engineering and value optimisation initiativesOperational & Cross-Functional PartnershipWork closely with manufacturing, planning, technical, finance, commercial, and NPD functions to support wider business objectivesSupport service continuity and minimise operational disruption through proactive supplier and inventory managementParticipate in business-critical operational and supply chain meetingsContribute to working capital reduction initiatives including stock optimisation and reduction of obsolete materialsEnsure procurement decisions balance commercial objectives with operational realitiesSupport launch activity, customer requirements, and business growth initiativesMarket Intelligence & Risk ManagementMonitor commodity and ingredient markets continuouslyForecast pricing movements and supplier market trendsAssess geopolitical, agricultural, economic, and supply chain risks impacting procurement categoriesProvide commercial insight and market intelligence to internal stakeholdersSupport budget planning and forecasting activity with accurate procurement analysisDevelop proactive risk mitigation strategies across categoriesThe CandidateDegree educated and a minimum of CIPS Level 3 or 4 required with the desire to continue those studiesThis role requires an experienced FMCG procurement professional with strong food manufacturing or FMCG exposure and a track record operating within commercially and operationally demanding environments.The successful individual is likely to bring:Progressive procurement and category management experience within FMCG manufacturingExperience purchasing ingredients, raw materials, commodities, and packagingExperience operating within food manufacturing or complex manufacturing supply chainsStrong negotiation capability across supplier relationshipsExcellent commercial acumen and analytical capabilityExperience managing volatile commodity-driven categoriesStrong stakeholder engagement and influencing skillsThe ability to operate with pace, resilience, and accountabilityA highly collaborative approach combined with the confidence to challenge constructivelyStrong understanding of procurement governance, supplier management, and category strategyThe ability to balance strategic thinking with operational responsivenessPersonal AttributesThe organisation is seeking an individual who combines commercial credibility with strong relationship-building capability.You will be:Commercially sharp and analytically mindedProactive and solutions focusedComfortable operating within fast-moving manufacturing environmentsHighly organised with strong attention to detailConfident influencing cross-functional stakeholdersCapable of managing competing priorities effectivelyCollaborative whilst able to challenge appropriatelyDriven to continuously improve processes, performance, and outcomesResilient under pressure and calm within operationally demanding situationsWhy This Opportunity?This is an opportunity to join a highly regarded food manufacturing business at an exciting stage of evolution and growth.The procurement function is highly valued within the organisation and plays a critical role in supporting operational performance, customer delivery, innovation, and commercial success.The successful individual will gain:Significant exposure across the wider businessThe opportunity to influence strategic procurement directionOwnership of commercially important categoriesA collaborative and fast-paced FMCG environmentStrong long-term career development potentialThe ability to make a visible and measurable impactThis opportunity would suit ambitious procurement professionals seeking a role with genuine breadth, influence, and progression potential within a complex FMCG manufacturing environment.To apply please email your CV to sinead.farrell@hprtalent.com or call 0115 870 0115 for more details