Senior Buyer

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• Surrey
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Position: Senior Buyer

Location: Surrey, England

Our client a global food business is looking for a commercially savvy Senior Buyer to become a key part of their growing Procurement team. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, you’ll take a central role in sourcing top-quality products from global suppliers, nurturing supplier relationships, and helping deliver exceptional products to their customers.

This position presents a fantastic opportunity to influence business success in a fast-paced, international environment. We’re seeking someone who thrives on responsibility, has exceptional communication and administrative abilities, and brings a strong commercial mindset to the table.

Responsibilities:

• Product Sourcing: Identify, evaluate, and procure products aligned with customer needs, balancing cost, quality, and lead times.
• Supplier Negotiation: Drive commercial advantage by negotiating favourable pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules.
• Ethical Sourcing: Ensure all procurement activities comply with our ethical sourcing standards and sustainability goals.
• Logistics & Quality Coordination: Partner with the logistics team to facilitate smooth delivery, manage imports and customs, and support quality control processes as needed.
• Tender Support: Lead on customer tenders, providing Sales & Marketing with accurate pricing, market data, and product intelligence.
• Order & Admin Management: Handle all purchasing administration through our order system with a focus on accuracy and full compliance with internal documentation standards.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Demand Planner and Operations Director to meet stock availability and delivery KPIs.
• Supplier Management: Continuously scout and engage with new suppliers to enhance quality, cost-efficiency, and delivery performance.
• Customer Insight: Develop a deep understanding of our customers’ brands and specific requirements to ensure tailored, value-driven procurement.

About you:

• Experience in a buying role (ideally within the food industry), with a strong track record in sourcing, negotiation, and supplier management.
• A hands-on, “can-do” attitude with a proactive approach to solving challenges.
• Determined and results-driven, with a tenacious mindset.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong time management and communication abilities.
• Good understanding of international logistics, shipping, duties, and customs processes (preferred).
• Highly organized with strong planning capabilities.
• Confident with IT systems, especially Excel and spreadsheet-based analysis.
• Proficiency in French or Spanish is a plus, but not essential.