Procurement / Buyer

We're looking for a commercially focused Procurement / Buyer to join our team and take ownership of supplier sourcing, supplier development and supplier relationship management across a range of raw materials and products.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys identifying and developing new supplier partnerships, working closely with Product Development teams, evaluating samples and specifications, and negotiating commercial agreements that deliver value, quality and innovation to the business.

Rather than being focused purely on stock management, this role is centred around building and managing a high-performing supplier network that supports our product and business objectives.

What you'll be doing

• Identifying, sourcing and evaluating new suppliers to support current and future business requirements.

• Managing the supplier onboarding process, ensuring suppliers meet quality, compliance and commercial requirements.

• Working closely with the Product Development team to understand product specifications, source suitable suppliers and manage the sample approval process.

• Reviewing, assessing and approving/rejecting supplier samples against technical, quality and commercial requirements.

• Leading supplier negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, contracts and service agreements.

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers to drive collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

• Monitoring and analysing supplier performance, including quality, service levels, OTIF, cost competitiveness and responsiveness.

• Developing supplier improvement plans where necessary and challenging underperformance to achieve better outcomes.

• Monitoring market trends, supplier capabilities and industry developments to identify new opportunities and mitigate supply risks.

• Collaborating with internal stakeholders across Product Development, Quality, Operations and Finance to ensure supplier strategies align with business needs.

• Managing Service Level Agreements and supplier contracts to ensure suppliers consistently meet expectations.

• Identifying opportunities for cost reduction, value engineering and supplier-led innovation.

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone with proven experience in supplier sourcing, supplier management and commercial negotiation, ideally within a manufacturing, consumer goods or product-focused environment.

You will be confident building relationships with both new and existing suppliers and have experience of taking products from concept through to supplier selection, sample approval and commercial agreement.

You'll bring

• At least 3 years' experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Buying or Supplier Management.

• Proven experience identifying, evaluating and onboarding new suppliers.

• Experience working with Product Development, Technical or Quality teams to source products and materials against specifications.

• Strong experience managing supplier samples, product evaluations and approval processes.

• Demonstrable success negotiating pricing, contracts, payment terms and supplier agreements.

• Experience analysing supplier performance and implementing improvement plans.

• Excellent supplier relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance cost, quality, service and innovation.

• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.

• Experience using ERP/MRP systems.

• A proactive, results-driven approach with the confidence to challenge suppliers and drive improvements.

Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact by shaping our supplier base, identifying new sourcing opportunities and working closely with Product Development teams to bring new products and materials into the business.

If you're passionate about supplier sourcing, supplier development and commercial negotiation, and enjoy building strong supplier partnerships that deliver real business value, we'd love to hear from you.