New Role Available -
Category Buyer

Position: Category Buyer

Location: Office based, King’s Cross, London

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and secure reliable suppliers that deliver high-quality products and services, ensuring food safety, consistency, and cost efficiency.
Supplier Risk Assessment, Approval & Performance Monitoring: Lead supplier risk assessments, manage approval processes, and conduct ongoing performance reviews to ensure compliance.
Compliance & Food Safety: Ensure all food products meet GFSI-recognized standards for safety, legality, authenticity, and quality. Guarantee full regulatory compliance for product content and labelling across all selling markets.
Product Testing & Compliance: Organize internal product inspections and external laboratory test in line with New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) timelines.
Stock control & Inventory optimization: Authorize POs, oversee stock levels, minimize write-offs.
Cost Management: Implement cost-effective purchasing strategies that deliver savings to sustain business growth.
Product Innovation: Initiate Category NPD and EPD to drive innovation and respond to evolving market demands.
Market Intelligence: Stay up to date on market trends, price fluctuations, and competitor activity to adjust buying decisions.
KPI Delivery: Meet or exceed key performance indicators, particularly on areas related to cost & compliance. Example: Pallet optimization.

Key Skills & Experience

Strong cost control capabilities and advanced negotiation skills.
Rapid learning and research ability to quickly become an expert in your specific food category — including market trends, supplier dynamics, and product specifications. In-depth knowledge in Cheddar Cheese, EVOO is an advantage.
Fast, confident decision-making with meticulous attention to detail.
BRCGS, CIPs, HACCP Level 3 certification for food manufacturing.
Proficient in ERP systems for efficient supply chain and procurement management.
Bilingual: fluent in Dutch, French, German, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese is a plus.

What We Offer

Annual Salary: £28,080
Personal Development Fund: £2,000 per year for professional training, personal well-being, or work-related skills (e.g. Endurance Strength training, Dutch, etc).
Annual Leave: 30 days.
Incentive Pay: To be introduced upon successful completion of the probation period. Paid monthly.
Year-End Bonus: Based on company P&L and individual achievements.
Workplace Pension: 5% employer contribution.
Free Supply of Emma Basic Products
Private Health Insurance: After probation period fully funded by the company.
Commuting Support: Coverage for reasonable train fare and lunch expense.

Application